entorhinaln

The entorhinal cortex is a key brain structure located in the temporal lobe, playing a crucial role in memory formation and spatial navigation. It acts as a central hub, connecting the neocortex with the hippocampus, a region vital for long-term memory consolidation. Information from various sensory modalities converges in the entorhinal cortex before being relayed to the hippocampus.

Within the entorhinal cortex, distinct cell populations exhibit specialized functions. Grid cells, for example, fire at multiple locations, forming a hexagonal lattice that helps represent spatial environments. Head direction cells, on the other hand, fire when the head is pointing in a specific direction, contributing to the brain's internal compass. These spatially tuned cells are thought to be essential for creating cognitive maps that allow us to navigate our surroundings.

Damage to the entorhinal cortex can lead to severe memory impairments, including anterograde amnesia, the inability to form new memories. It is also an early site of pathology in Alzheimer's disease, where the degeneration of entorhinal neurons correlates with cognitive decline. Research into the entorhinal cortex continues to shed light on the complex neural mechanisms underlying memory and spatial cognition.