Hippocampal and prefrontal processing of network topology to simulate the future

• DOI: 10.1038/ncomms14652
• Publication Date: 2017-03-21T23:38:03Z
• Authors: Amir-Homayoun Javadi; Beatrix Emo; Lorelei R. Howard; Fiona E. Zisch; Yichao Yu; Rebecca Knight; Joao Pinelo Silva; Hugo J. Spiers
• Keywords: Everyday Life

Abstract Topological networks lie at the heart of our cities and social milieu. However, it remains unclear how when brain processes topological structures to guide future behaviour during everyday life. Using fMRI in humans a simulation London (UK), here we show that, specifically new streets are entered navigation city, right posterior hippocampal activity indexes change number local connections available for travel anterior reflects global properties street entered. When forced detours require re-planning route goal, bilateral inferior lateral prefrontal scales with planning demands breadth-first search paths. These results help shape models regions support navigation, simulation.