| The navigation target is a key aspect of spatial cognition and navigation,which is crucial for the survival and life of animal individuals.Previous research has shown that the hippocampus is closely related to the encoding of navigation targets in mammals.However,it is unclear whether the hippocampus plays the same role in navigation target encoding for birds,which have superior spatial cognition and navigation abilities.To explore the role of the avian hippocampus in the encoding of navigation targets,this research focused on the response characteristics of hippocampal place cells in the target navigation space,using pigeons as a model animal.The research results of this article are of great significance for revealing the spatial cognition and navigation neural mechanisms of different species,and will also provide theoretical support for the development of new navigation technologies such as biomimetic navigation.To investigate the response characteristics of hippocampal place cells in pigeons to navigation goals,this research established a spatial cognition and navigation experimental system specifically designed for pigeons.A spatial navigation experimental paradigm for pigeons was developed,and hippocampal place cells in pigeons were selected.The research then examined the activity of hippocampal place cells in the presence and absence of target environments,comparing their responses to navigation goals.The work conducted in this research is as follows:(1)An electrophysiological experimental system was set up to screen pigeon place cells,combining hippocampal neural signals and pigeon movement trajectories.A screening method for pigeon hippocampal place cells was proposed based on the Gaussian filtering algorithm,achieving successful selection of pigeon hippocampal place cells.(2)The influence of parameters such as filtering algorithm,grid number,and filter kernel size on the place field of place cells was analyzed.The parameter selection for screening the place field of pigeon place cells was optimized,resulting in an improved accuracy of place field selection.(3)The research investigated the response characteristics of pigeon hippocampal place cells in the presence and absence of target environments.It was found that the stability of the anterior place field in the pigeon hippocampus was stronger than that of the posterior region.Additionally,the number of place fields induced in the absence of target environments was significantly higher compared to the presence of target environments. |
