A Multi-regional Network Encoding Heading and Steering Maneuvers in Drosophila

In flying Drosophila, specific neurons in the central complex may encode heading and turning behaviors through coordinated population dynamics.

• Neurons in the central complex are involved in processing heading direction and steering behaviors.
• Columnar neurons in the fan-shaped body exhibit circular dynamics that integrate information about turning and heading.
• The dynamics of these neurons coordinate with activity in the ellipsoid body, which also represents heading.
• FB neurons show a change in turn preference based on the visual environment, indicating context-dependent behavior.
• The navigational system in Drosophila involves multiple subregions of the central complex with distinct yet coordinated neural dynamics.

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