Scientists pinpoint the brain's internal mileage clock

Researchers have identified a specific region in the brain that acts as an "internal mileage clock" for tracking distance traveled. By recording the brain activity of running rats, they were able to pinpoint this area, known as the retrosplenial cortex. The study found that neurons in this region increase their firing rate as the rats cover more distance, effectively keeping track of the distance traveled. This mechanism could be crucial for navigational and spatial awareness, allowing animals to build a mental map of their environment. The findings suggest that the retrosplenial cortex plays a vital role in the brain's ability to monitor and record spatial information, which has implications for understanding how humans and animals navigate their surroundings. Further research may shed light on how this "internal mileage clock" contributes to various cognitive functions and could potentially be applied in the development of navigation and spatial awareness technologies.