Hippocampal Representations on the Spatial Delay Discounting Task

Abstract

The hippocampus facilitates planning. While navigating an environment, hippocampal representations can be forward of the current position. During pausing, hippocampal representations can be predictive of future choices, and can represent configurable components of an environment. Here I investigate these mechanisms, both of which have been linked with decision-making involving the hippocampus. I find that they are related processes: the representations during pausing and navigation are similar on a lap-by-lap basis. Forward representation during navigation has been linked with vicarious trial and error behavior at a choice point. To study the relationship between this behavior and the hippocampal representations that may accompany it, I describe a novel neuroeconomic task, the spatial delay discounting task. The occurrence of vicarious trial and error behavior on this task is consistent with a deliberative decision-making process. The hippocampal representations during vicarious trial and error support this interpretation. I investigate theories of vicarious trial and error behavior and its relation to hippocampal function.