How New Information Influences Brain Navigation in Changing Environments

Recent research published in Nature Communications sheds light on the neural mechanisms that enable the brain to adapt quickly when navigating in dynamic settings. Scientists from Georgia Tech have observed how two critical brain regions, the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, respond to new information that requires a change in goals during navigation tasks.

Imagine you're driving to an airport to pick up a friend. You initially head toward a specific terminal based on your plan. Suddenly, your friend calls and updates you that they are in a different terminal. Your brain rapidly updates your route, adjusting your mental map almost instantaneously.

This process is driven by neural activity that adapts in real time. When new information emerges, the hippocampus begins to represent both the original and the new destinations simultaneously. Meanwhile, the prefrontal cortex shifts focus from the initial goal to the new one, leading to a rapid switch in attention. This dual representation allows for flexible, goal-oriented behavior.

To study this dynamic, researchers used a virtual reality maze where mice navigated toward treats, with the goal location changing unexpectedly. By recording neural activity in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, the team found that these brain areas undergo significant changes when adapting to new information. The hippocampus often signals both old and new goals, reflecting a neural readiness for updated plans, while the prefrontal cortex quickly refocuses on the new target.

These findings illuminate the neural basis of cognitive flexibility—how our brains adaptively alter plans when conditions change. Understanding these mechanisms is especially important for insights into neurological conditions like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, where such adaptability may be impaired.

The research highlights that the ability to update plans efficiently depends on rapid shifts in neural codes within specific brain circuits. Such insights can open pathways to developing targeted therapies for disorders that compromise cognitive flexibility and decision-making.

Ultimately, this study advances our understanding of how the brain seamlessly integrates new information to navigate complex, changing environments, a fundamental aspect of everyday life and decision-making.

Source: MedicalXpress