Spatial navigation signals in rodent visual cortex

During navigation, animals integrate sensory information with body movements to guide actions. The impact of both navigational and movement-related signals on cortical visual information processing remains largely unknown. We review recent studies in awake rodents that have revealed navigation related signals in the primary visual cortex (V1), including speed, distance travelled and head-orienting movements. Both cortical and subcortical inputs convey self-motion related information to V1 neurons: for example, top-down inputs from secondary motor and retrosplenial cortices convey information about head movements and spatial expectations. Within V1, subtypes of inhibitory neurons are critical for the integration of navigation-related and visual signals. We conclude with potential functional roles of navigation-related signals in V1 including gain control, motor error signals and predictive coding.