Abstract

The hippocampus is known to be involved in spatial learning
in rats. Spatial learning involves the encoding and replay of temporally
sequenced spatial information. Temporally sequenced spatial memories
are encoded and replayed by the firing rate and phase of pyramidal cells
and inhibitory interneurons with respect to ongoing network oscillations
(theta and ripples). Understanding how the different hippocampal neuronal
classes interact during these encoding and replay processes is of
great importance. A computational model of the CA1 microcircuit [3],
[4], [5] that uses biophysical representations of the major cell types, including
pyramidal cells and four types of inhibitory interneurons is extended
to address: (1) How are the encoding and replay (forward and
reverse) of behavioural place sequences controlled in the CA1 microcircuit
during theta and ripples? and (2) What roles do the various types
of inhibitory interneurons play in these processes?