Concerning the 22/5 research meeting, about the local increased firing rate of certain grid cell locations compared to others, I was thinking perhaps the same grid cell module might produce multiple grid patterns on top of each other.
Compare this with a ruler with indentations at every 1/16th inch, larger indentation at quarter inch and so on.
Perhaps as a resonance pattern, where certain spots on the grid show an increased rate due to addition of multiple sources (and perhaps even others lesser through inhibition). After all we don’t know what the source for this firing is. If there are multiple sources, it would make sense that those influence each other.
Also, in a limited area, the larger pattern(s) might be invisible due to a limited number of points. As in low resolution.
@Bitking you said you know of some papers on this subject. Any that could corroborate this?
@chuston also had a good closing remark: increased activity would possibly have an effect upstream in case sensory input from a feature is combined with the increased firing grid location. The synapses would get reinforced faster at that location.
This is so fascinating! :-).