Recording the Spatial Mapping Cells: Place, Head Direction, and Grid Cells

Abstract Single-neuron spatial coding is one of the most prominent and intensively studied brain functions. Beginning with the discovery of the hippocampal place cells, which was followed by the head direction cells, grid cells, border cells, and many other cell types in the succeeding decades, such studies have been important in uncovering not only how neurons encode space but also how they contribute to the encoding of memory more generally. This chapter provides a beginner's guide to recording spatial cells and points out some of the challenges, pitfalls, and future directions involved in relating neural activity to behavior.