Towards an Unifying Theory
The model tries to aggregate Burgess' model to the model of cognitive mapping and purposive behavior proposed by Schmajuk & Thieme (1992).
An "associative memory" is implemented using a simplified version of Fuzzy ARTMAP.
ART is used to store an association between the current activation of the place cells, P(t), the motor action computed by the goal cells, and the next activation of the place cells, P(t+1).
(P(t) + Direction) => ART <= P(t+1)
In the DARK, the rat is placed in the same location where he started to learn the associations. From this point on, it uses the stored associations to navigate towards the goal.
(P(t) + Direction) => ART => P(t+1)
Both McMaughton and Rolls have long supported the idea of "associative matrices" in the hippocampus. In implementing an "associative memory" upon Burgess' model, we are also providing a link between two data sets, i.e., place fields and synaptic matrices in the hippocampus.
Prepared by Alex Guazzelli and Fernando Corbacho (aguazzel/corbacho@pollux.usc.edu)