Integrative functions of the retrosplenial cortex in rats: anatomy, connectomics, and cellular electrophysiology

Abstract

Current review is focused on the integrative functions of the retrosplenial cortex, which neurons are largely involved in spatial orientation and ambulation of an organism. We discuss anatomy and connectivity of the retrosplenial cortex in rats as well as the most recent findings concerning the behavioral specialization of its neurons observed using multielectrode recordings. Pattern of connections of the retrosplenial cortex allows to consider its interfacing role in linking brain regions specifically involved in spatial navigation and memory with areas of the associative cortex which lack spatial tuning. In this paper, we touch upon that unique anatomical connectivity which is reflected in the peculiar behavioral specialization of the retrosplenial cortex neurons. Complex spatial tuning of retrosplenial neurons is likely to represent the association of spatial and nonspatial information, and provides a clue to principles of information integration in the cerebral cortex.

Keywords

• retrosplenial cortex
• connectomics
• neuronal activity
• behavioral specialization of neurons
• spatial memory
• information integration