Decoding medial entorhinal cortical dynamics produces planning-like alternations in hippocampal theta sequences

Abstract

The hippocampus is central to memory and spatial planning. A prominent candidate mechanism supporting navigational decision making is hippocampal theta sequences--brief ([~]120ms) place-cell sequences representing future trajectories--which have been interpreted as planning signals based on their alternation between maze arms in T-maze tasks. However, recent work suggests that intrinsic left-right alternation in medial entorhinal cortex (MEC) theta sequences may underlie this phenomenon. Here, we test this hypothesis using a model of MEC theta dynamics in a T-maze and show that standard Bayesian decoding yields hippocampal theta sequences that alternate between arms. Analysis of simultaneous MEC-hippocampal recordings reveals tight coupling of MEC and hippocampus and coordinated left-right alternation. Notably, this alternation occurs not only at choice points but also during inbound and forced-turn trials. These findings suggest that left-right alternation in hippocampal theta sequences is a ubiquitous phenomenon driven by MEC dynamics, challenging the interpretation that these specifically reflect intentional decision-making or planning processes.