Spatial Sequence Coding Differs during Slow and Fast Gamma Rhythms in the Hippocampus

Spatiotemporal trajectories are coded by “theta sequences,” ordered series of hippocampal place cell spikes that reflect the order of behavioral experiences. Theta sequences are thought to be organized by co-occurring gamma rhythms (∼25–100 Hz). However, how sequences of locations are represented during distinct slow (∼25–55 Hz) and fast (∼60–100 Hz) gamma subtypes remains poorly understood. We found that slow gamma-associated theta sequences activated on a compressed timescale and represented relatively long paths extending ahead of the current location. Fast gamma-associated theta sequences more closely followed an animal’s actual location in real time. When slow gamma occurred, sequences of locations were represented across successive slow gamma phases. Conversely, fast gamma phase coding of spatial sequences was not observed. These findings suggest that slow gamma promotes activation of temporally compressed representations of upcoming trajectories, whereas fast gamma supports coding of ongoing trajectories in real time. [Display omitted] •Place cells code relatively long, temporally compressed paths during slow gamma•Place cells accurately follow ongoing trajectories during fast gamma•Slow gamma phases of spikes code spatial information•Fast gamma phases of spikes do not provide spatial information Zheng et al. show that place cells code sequences of locations differently during slow and fast gamma rhythms. Upcoming, relatively long paths are coded in a time-compressed manner during slow gamma, whereas representations closely follow current locations during fast gamma.