Neural Mechanisms of Orientation Mapping

This lecture covers the discovery of place cells and head-direction cells, the experimental protocol using a two-photon laser scanning microscope, the analysis of neural regions of interest, and the computation of the fly's orientation within a virtual environment. It also explores the fly's compass-like orientation, the effects of visual landmarks, and self-motion cues on orientation mapping. The lecture delves into the population vector average estimate, the correlation of PVA estimate with cue position, and the persistent activity of the ellipsoid body. Criticisms regarding experimental conditions and mapping inconsistencies are discussed, along with future research directions in understanding the neuronal mechanisms behind orientation mapping.