# Neural Basis for Spatial Cognition

> **NIH NIH R01** · DARTMOUTH COLLEGE · 2021 · $358,750

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
The Research Plan describes a series of experiments that will examine how spatial information is
processed in the mammalian brain. In previous studies a population of neurons was identified within
the mammillary nuclei  anterior thalamus  hippocampal formation axis that discharge as a function
of the animal's head direction (HD), independent of the animal's behavior and spatial location. This
spatial signal provides a model system for examining how primary sensory information, entering
through various sensory pathways, is transformed into a "higher level cognitive signal" representing the
organism's spatial relationship with its environment. The mechanisms that accomplish this
transformation in the central nervous system are not known. The first aim contains four experiments
and is designed to determine how the HD signal is derived and processed from known sensory inputs.
Studies will focus on subcortical areas in the brainstem and mammillary nuclei. The second aim will
determine the brain areas involved in generating the grid cell signal in medial entorhinal cortex. The
third aim addresses the role of two subcortical brain areas that are involved in generating the HD signal
in performing a path integration spatial task. In sum, these studies will provide insight into how spatial
information is organized and processed in the brain and will enhance our understanding of the
functional role of HD cells during navigation. The results will have implications for human health and
behavior. It is common for elderly patients and patients with Alzheimer’s disease, a disease often
associated with marked pathology in limbic system structures, to experience spatial disorientation to the
extent that constant supervision is required. Learning how spatial information is processed in the rat
brain will give us clues about the complex nature of spatial processes in humans.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10241276
- **Project number:** 5R01NS104193-04
- **Recipient organization:** DARTMOUTH COLLEGE
- **Principal Investigator:** JEFFREY Steven TAUBE
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $358,750
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-09-30 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10241276

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10241276, Neural Basis for Spatial Cognition (5R01NS104193-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10241276. Licensed CC0.

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