A model of hippocampal circuitry mediating goal-driven navigation in a familiar environment

Considerable data demonstrates a role for the hippocampus in spatial navigation. Here we present a detailed model of how the components of hippocampal circuitry might guide movement toward flexible goal locations in a familiar environment. The model contains the following features: (1) Route planning is based on the spread of activation; (2) The spread of activation is gated by environmental constraints; (3) Multiple goals are visited sequentially; (4) Spatial representation is goal-independent; (5) Place cells predict the future position by about one θ-cycle; (6) The model selects the shorter path among alternatives. This model can be further extended to address complex navigational functions.