retrosplenial cortex place cell gain modulation

Simulations indicate that gain modulation benefits retrosplenial cortex place cells more than hippocampal place cells because retrosplenial cortex place cells have higher out-of-field activity and therefore lower signal-to-noise ratio.

Optogenetic manipulation of VIP-mediated disinhibition selectively amplifies in-field place cell activity and improves spatial coding accuracy in retrosplenial cortex.

In mice performing a spatial task, VIP-expressing neurons selectively control the gain of place cells and other cell types in retrosplenial cortex through disinhibition.

VIP neurons in the hippocampus have minimal impact on place field gain compared with the gain modulation observed in retrosplenial cortex.

The study shows area-specific VIP-mediated gain control that enhances spatial coding and potentially memory formation.