Simultaneous encoding of allocentric and sequential egocentric strategies during navigation
-
1
LPPA Collège de France, France
-
2
ENMVI NPA UPMC, France
-
3
ICN UCL, United Kingdom
Navigation in a complex environment can rely on the use of different spatial strategies, in particular allocentric (or map-based) and sequential (or route-based) egocentric strategies. These strategies are known to depend on different memory systems. However, little is known about how these different memory systems interact during parallel learning of these two different spatial strategies. We combined navigation in a virtual environment with an fMRI study. We used the virtual version of the Starmaze labyrinth in which participants had to learn to navigate to a hidden location having the possibility to use either an allocentric or a sequential egocentric strategy or both. We investigated spontaneous choice and switches between the two strategies and the neural structures involved during the learning process. Participants regularly performed probe tests during the spatial task. Through the probe tests, we characterized the strategy (allocentric and/or sequential egocentric) chosen by each participant throughout the learning process. Comparing different probe tests of the same participant, both strategies arose independently of the time-course of the learning process. Indeed, participants switched either from the allocentric to the egocentric or from the egocentric to the allocentric strategy, suggesting no temporal or performance-related hierarchy between the two strategies. We conclude that, during free learning, both strategies are encoded simultaneously. Functional imaging results showed that the network activated during learning comprises the striatum, insula, caudate nucleus, anterior cingulate and medial prefrontal cortices, hippocampus and cerebellum, structures known to depend on multiple memory systems. Our results both provide evidence for conjunct encoding during the learning process of the strategies and cooperation between the different memory systems.
Conference:
12th Meeting of the Hungarian Neuroscience Society, Budapest, Hungary, 22 Jan - 24 Jan, 2009.
Presentation Type:
Poster Presentation
Topic:
Behavioural neuroscience
Citation:
Iglói
K,
Doeller
CF,
Berthoz
A,
Rondi
RL and
Burgess
N
(2009). Simultaneous encoding of allocentric and sequential egocentric strategies during navigation.
Front. Syst. Neurosci.
Conference Abstract:
12th Meeting of the Hungarian Neuroscience Society.
doi: 10.3389/conf.neuro.01.2009.04.091
Copyright:
The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers.
They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters.
The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated.
Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed.
For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions.
Received:
03 Mar 2009;
Published Online:
03 Mar 2009.
*
Correspondence:
Kinga Iglói, LPPA Collège de France, Paris, France, kinga.igloi@college-de-france.fr