A gravity-based three-dimensional compass in the mouse brain

Dora E. Angelaki (), Julia Ng, Amada M. Abrego, Henry X. Cham, Eftihia K. Asprodini, J. David Dickman and Jean Laurens
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Dora E. Angelaki: New York University
Julia Ng: Baylor College of Medicine
Amada M. Abrego: Baylor College of Medicine
Henry X. Cham: Baylor College of Medicine
Eftihia K. Asprodini: University of Thessaly
J. David Dickman: Baylor College of Medicine
Jean Laurens: Baylor College of Medicine

Nature Communications, 2020, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Abstract Gravity sensing provides a robust verticality signal for three-dimensional navigation. Head direction cells in the mammalian limbic system implement an allocentric neuronal compass. Here we show that head-direction cells in the rodent thalamus, retrosplenial cortex and cingulum fiber bundle are tuned to conjunctive combinations of azimuth and tilt, i.e. pitch or roll. Pitch and roll orientation tuning is anchored to gravity and independent of visual landmarks. When the head tilts, azimuth tuning is affixed to the head-horizontal plane, but also uses gravity to remain anchored to the allocentric bearings in the earth-horizontal plane. Collectively, these results demonstrate that a three-dimensional, gravity-based, neural compass is likely a ubiquitous property of mammalian species, including ground-dwelling animals.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15566-5

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