The human brain is a remarkable organ that utilizes various mechanisms to ensure we do not get lost. From recognizing familiar landmarks to estimating distances traveled, our brains are constantly working to navigate our surroundings. Recent research conducted by the University of St Andrews sheds light on the brain’s built-in distance tracker and how it affects our ability to judge distances accurately.
In a study published in Current Biology, researchers trained rats to run a specific distance to receive a reward. They observed the activity of individual cells in the brain’s navigation system as the rats performed the task. Previous studies have shown that some of these cells exhibit regular peaks of activity, akin to a neural pedometer, occurring approximately every 30cm. The researchers then manipulated the task environment to disrupt the regularity of these peaks, leading to a decline in the rats’ ability to estimate distance accurately.
The study revealed that the consistency of the neural pedometer-like signal was directly linked to the rats’ accuracy in distance estimation. This suggests that this specific neural signal plays a crucial role in tracking how far we have traveled. To further validate their findings, researchers recreated the task for humans in a real-world setting and found that humans also possess the ability to judge distances accurately. Similarly, manipulating the environment to disrupt the regularity of the pedometer signal resulted in decreased accuracy for humans as well.
The measurements taken during the study were focused on the brain’s entorhinal cortex, an area that is often affected in Alzheimer’s disease. This suggests that the distance estimation task relying on the neural pedometer could potentially serve as a valuable tool for early diagnosis of the disease. Professor James Ainge, who led the study, emphasized the significance of linking distance estimation with the regular pattern of activity in the entorhinal cortex, highlighting the similarities in brain mechanisms between humans and rats.
Overall, the findings of this research provide valuable insights into the brain’s ability to estimate distances accurately and the potential implications for diagnosing neurological disorders. By understanding how our brains track distances, we can gain a deeper understanding of cognitive functions and potentially develop new strategies for diagnosing and treating brain-related conditions. The study conducted by the University of St Andrews opens up new avenues for further research in the field of neuroscience and cognitive psychology.
