Topic: Mexican hat connectivity

Grid cells are believed to be key neurons in spatial navigation. Their mechanisms and operation have been described via the theoretical framework of continuous attractor networks (CANs). While increasing evidence points to a CAN mechanism for grid cells, one fundamental aspect of grid cell CAN models remains untested, namely the prediction that population activity is determined by specific patterns of recurrent connectivity. In particular, many CAN models require a Mexican hat connectivity profile with excitatory connections between functionally similar neurons and inhibition between more diss