Cognitive maps and the magnetic sense in vertebrates

Curr Opin Neurobiol. 2024 Apr 23;86:102880. doi: 10.1016/j.conb.2024.102880. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTNavigation requires a network of neurons processing inputs from internally generated cues and external landmarks. Most studies on the neuronal basis of navigation in vertebrates have focused on rats and mice and the canonical senses vision, hearing, olfaction, and somatosensation. Some animals have evolved the ability to sense the Earth's magnetic field and use it for orientation. It can be expected that in these animals magnetic cues are integrated with other sensory cues in the cognitive map. We provide an overview of the behavioral evidence and brain regions involved in magnetic sensing in support of this idea, hoping that this will guide future experiments.PMID:38657284 | DOI:10.1016/j.conb.2024.102880

Source: Current Opinion in Neurobiology - April 24, 2024 Category: Neurology Authors: Runita N Shirdhankar E Pascal Malkemper Source Type: research