Behavioral and neural subsystems of rodent exploration

• Published in: Learning and motivation Vol. 61; pp. 3 - 15
• Main Authors: Thompson, Shannon M., Berkowitz, Laura E., Clark, Benjamin J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.02.2018; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Behavior; Exploratory behavior; Grid cells; Head direction cells; Hippocampus; Hyperactivity; Learning; Locomotor; Motivation; Navigation; Neural networks; Neurobiology; Open-field; Place cell; Psychological Patterns; Spatial behavior; Open-field; Spatial behavior; Navigation; Place cell; Hyperactivity; Grid cells; Locomotor; Head direction cells; Hippocampus; navigation; open-field; hippocampus; hyperactivity; spatial behavior; head direction cells; grid cells; place cell; locomotor
• ISSN: 0023-9690; 1095-9122
• DOI: 10.1016/j.lmot.2017.03.009

Animals occupy territories in which resources such as food and shelter are often distributed unevenly. While studies of exploratory behavior have typically involved the laboratory rodent as an experimental subject, questions regarding what constitutes exploration have dominated. A recent line of research has utilized a descriptive approach to the study of rodent exploration, which has revealed that this behavior is organized into movement subsystems that can be readily quantified. The movements include home base behavior, which serves as a central point of attraction from which rats and mice organize exploratory trips into the remaining environment. In this review, we describe some of the features of this organized behavior pattern as well as its modulation by sensory cues and previous experience. We conclude the review by summarizing research investigating the neurobiological bases of exploration, which we hope will stimulate renewed interest and research on the neural systems mediating these behaviors.