Functional connectivity between posterior hippocampus and retrosplenial complex predicts individual differences in navigational ability

Individuals vary widely in their ability to orient and navigate within the environment. Previous neuroimaging research has shown that hippocampus (HC) and scene-responsive regions (retrosplenial complex or RSC and parahippocampal gyrus/parahippocampal place area or PPA) are crucial for spatial orienting and navigation. We used resting-state functional connectivity and a self-reported questionnaire of navigational ability to examine the hypothesis that the pattern of reciprocal connections between these regions reflects individual differences in spatial navigation. We found that the functional connectivity between the posterior HC and RSC was significantly higher in good than in poor navigators. These results confirm the crucial role of hippocampal and extra-hippocampal regions in spatial navigation and provide new insight into how spontaneous brain activity may account for individual differences in spatial ability. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.