Disrupting direct inputs from the dorsal subiculum to the granular
retrosplenial cortex impairs spatial memory in the rat
Abstract
The dorsal subiculum is the primary source of hippocampal projections to
the rat retrosplenial cortex. Although, both regions are implicated in
spatial memory and navigation, the significance of their direct
interconnections remains poorly understood. The present study
selectively disrupted dorsal subiculum projections to retrosplenial
cortex with inhibitory designer-receptors exclusively activated by
designer drugs (iDREADDs), activated locally by clozapine. iDREADDs were
injected in the dorsal subiculum in adult male rats (N=14), where they
were transported anterogradely to granular retrosplenial cortex. In a
separate control group, GFP expressing adeno-associated virus was
injected into the dorsal subiculum (N=8). Both groups received
behavioural sessions preceded either by intracerebral infusions of
clozapine or saline within retrosplenial cortex. Behavioural testing
involved reinforced T-maze alternation, with five test variations that
differentially taxed intra-maze, extra-maze, and egocentric strategies.
Disruption of the subiculum to retrosplenial projections impaired
spatial working memory whenever the test variant created a conflict
between cue-types, associated with a switch between different
strategies. These findings suggest that the direct projections from the
dorsal subiculum to the granular retrosplenial cortex help to maintain
the flexible integration of different spatial cue-types.