Regulation of locomotion by hippocampal theta oscillations

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The study investigates the role of hippocampal theta oscillations in regulating locomotion, particularly during spatial navigation. By using optogenetics to stimulate medial septum pacemaker cells at theta frequencies, researchers found that this entrainment resulted in lower variability of theta amplitude, leading to slower and more consistent running speeds. Furthermore, inhibiting the hippocampal output to the lateral septum blocked these behavioral effects, providing evidence that hippocampal theta oscillations influence locomotor speed through this specific pathway.