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A neural compass in the human brain during naturalistic virtual navigation
Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|May 7, 2024
Summary
Humans maintain a sense of direction using brain regions like the retrosplenial complex and superior parietal lobule. These areas act as a neural compass, crucial for effective wayfinding and navigation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Human Navigation
Background:
- Wayfinding relies on maintaining a consistent sense of facing direction.
- Head direction cells in rodents are thought to support this neural compass.
- Identifying analogous mechanisms in humans during dynamic navigation remains challenging.
Conclusions:
- The retrosplenial complex and superior parietal lobule are key brain areas for maintaining directional sense in humans.
- These findings elucidate neural mechanisms supporting dynamic, naturalistic navigation and wayfinding.
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