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# A neural code for egocentric spatial maps in the human medial temporal lobe

## Details

**Authors** Kunz et al.

**Year** 2021

**Publisher** Neuron

**Discipline** Neuroscience

[Read it at the publisher](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2021.06.019) 
10.1016/j.neuron.2021.06.019

## In authors' words

### What they set out to do (purpose)

To identify the single-neuron basis of self-centred (egocentric) spatial representation in humans, which had remained unknown despite well-characterised allocentric place, grid and head-direction cells.

### What they found (results)

Single-neuron recordings from the medial temporal lobe of 14 epilepsy patients navigating a virtual environment revealed egocentric bearing cells encoding direction and distance toward reference points distributed throughout the environment. These cells were most abundant in parahippocampal cortex, and fired more strongly during successful than unsuccessful episodic memory recall.

## Commentary

### In short

Egocentric bearing cells encode item direction/distance relative to the subject's own position and heading, so the self-anchored point determines the represented view.

**Patterns it shows** P

**Added** 2026-08-01

**How to cite this** Kunz et al. (2021). A neural code for egocentric spatial maps in the human medial temporal lobe. Neuron.