# Context-based neural representations of space: hippocampal-entorhinal neurophysiology in ambulating humans

> **NIH NIH F30** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · 2021 · $37,890

## Abstract

ABSTRACT:
Memory decline accompanies numerous neurological and psychiatric diseases. To inform the development of
effective therapies, understanding how complex memories are encoded in the hippocampal-entorhinal cortex
system (HPC-ERC) is critical. Formation of successful episodic memories (of personal events) requires the
integration of information across dimensions including the context of an experience within a spatial
environment. The proposed research program will determine how the HPC-ERC system flexibly encodes
memories across different spatial environmental contexts using rare invasive neural recordings in humans.
Data will be collected from two distinct but complementary groups of participants with implanted electrodes: (1)
stationary participants with simultaneous single-unit/local field potential (LFP) recordings from the HPC-ERC
and (2) freely moving participants with chronic HPC-ERC iEEG recording electrodes. Participants will perform
an ecologically meaningful 3D immersive virtual reality (VR) spatial navigation task, either at the bedside (1) or
during free movement (2). Findings will illustrate critical neural mechanisms that underlie representations of
space and memory in freely moving humans and how these representations encode contextual changes.
Additionally, this proposal will identify the relationship between single-unit and LFP activity in humans in
relation to spatial navigation and contextual changes, using 3D VR. Results will advance our understanding of
HPC-ERC representations of spatial navigation, memory, and the effect of contextual changes that will
together serve as a scientific foundation for development of neurological therapies for disorders of memory.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10142213
- **Project number:** 1F30MH125534-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
- **Principal Investigator:** Sabrina Leah Levy Maoz
- **Activity code:** F30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $37,890
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-12-01 → 2024-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10142213

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10142213, Context-based neural representations of space: hippocampal-entorhinal neurophysiology in ambulating humans (1F30MH125534-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10142213. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*