In a recent experimental paper Lee et al. (Neuron 51:639–650, ) showed that the firing patterns of CA1 complex-spike neurons gradually shifted forward across trials toward prospective goal locations within a recording session over multiple trials. Here we propose a simple model of this result based on the phenomenon of awake sequence reverse replay (Foster and Wilson, Nature 440(7084):615–617, ) which occurs when the animal pauses at the reward location. The model is based on the CA3-CA1 anatomy with modulation of CA3-CA1 synaptic plasticity by feedback from CA3 projecting CA1 interneurons. Sequence replays, which are generated in CA3 by removal of subcortical inhibition on CA1 interneurons, are recoded into the synaptic weights of individual CA1 cells. This produces spatially extended CA1 firing fields, whose response provides a value function on experienced paths toward goal locations. Simulations show that the CA1 firing fields show positive movement in center of mass toward reward locations over many trials with negative shift in first few trials, and development of positive skew.
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