Spatial Cognition: a Wave Hypothesis

TL;DR

This paper proposes a wave-based neural model for 3D spatial memory that offers high precision and speed, supported by evidence from insect and mammal brain structures, improving upon traditional neural error models.

Contribution

It introduces a novel wave excitation model for 3D spatial memory, addressing neural error issues and supported by cross-species neuroanatomical evidence.

Findings

Wave model provides higher spatial precision and faster response than neural memory.

Insect central brain structure is suitable for wave storage.

Mammal thalamus is well suited to hold a wave.

Abstract

Animals build Bayesian 3D models of their surroundings, to control their movements. There is strong selection pressure to make these models as precise as possible, given their sense data. A previous paper has described how a precise 3D model of space can be built by object tracking. This only works if 3D locations are stored with high spatial precision. Neural models of 3D spatial memory have large random errors; too large to support the tracking model. An alternative is described, in which neurons couple to a wave excitation in the brain, representing 3-D space. This can give high spatial precision, fast response, and other benefits. Three lines of evidence support the wave hypothesis: (1) it has better precision and speed than neural spatial memory, and is good enough to support object tracking; (2) the central body of the insect brain, whose form is highly conserved across all insect species, is well suited to hold a wave; and (3) the thalamus, whose round shape is conserved across all mammal species, is well suited to hold a wave. These lines of evidence strongly support the wave hypothesis.