Topic: network gain

The head direction (HD) system is classically modeled as a ring attractor network which ensures a stable representation of the animal’s head direction. This unidimensional description popularized the view of the HD system as the brain’s internal compass. However, unlike a globally consistent magnetic compass, the orientation of the HD system is dynamic, depends on local cues and exhibits remapping across familiar environments5. Such a system requires mechanisms to remember and align to familiar landmarks, which may not be well described within the classic 1-dimensional framework. To search for

The internal compass of the brain, also known as the head-direction (HD) system, forms a crucial component of the neural circuit necessary for effective spatial orientation, and includes regions such as the anterodorsal thalamic nucleus (ADN). It maintains a sense of orientation by integrating self-motion with local cues, which serve as anchors. A recent study in mice showed that network gain, a measure of population activity in the system, decreases during reorientations induced by changes in visual cues. The extent of this reduction in gain influences the dynamics of reorientation, with lowe