# Neural mechanisms of spatial representations beyond the self

> **NIH NIH K99** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · 2022 · $116,195

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Spatial navigation is a fundamental human behavior, and deficits in navigational functions are among the
hallmark symptoms of severe neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. Understanding how the
human brain processes and encodes spatial information is thus of critical importance for the development of
therapies for affected patients. Previous studies have shown that the brain forms neural representations of spatial
information, via spatially-tuned activity of single neurons (e.g., place cells, grid cells, or head direction cells), and
by the coordinated oscillatory activity of cell populations. The vast majority of these studies have focused on the
encoding of self-related spatial information, such as one’s own location, orientation, and movements. However,
everyday tasks in social settings require the encoding of spatial information not only for oneself, but also for other
people in the environment. At present, it is largely unknown how the human brain accomplishes this important
function, and how aspects of human cognition may affect these spatial encoding mechanisms. This project
therefore aims to elucidate the neural mechanisms that underlie the encoding of spatial information and
awareness of others. Specifically, the proposed research plan will determine how human deep brain oscillations
and single-neuron activity allow us to keep track of other individuals as they move through our environment.
Next, the project will determine whether these spatial encoding mechanisms are specific to the encoding of
another person, or whether they can be used more flexibly to support the encoding of moving inanimate objects
and even more abstract cognitive functions such as imagined navigation. Finally, the project will determine how
spatial information is encoded in more complex real-world scenarios, when multiple information sources (e.g.,
multiple people) are present. To address these questions, intracranial medial temporal lobe activity will be
recorded from two rare participant groups: (1) Participants with permanently implanted depth electrodes for the
treatment of focal epilepsy through responsive neurostimulation (RNS), who provide a unique opportunity to
record deep brain oscillations during free movement and naturalistic behavior; and (2) hospitalized epilepsy
patients with temporarily implanted intracranial electrodes in the epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU), from whom joint
oscillatory and single-neuron activity can be recorded.
In addition, this award will allow me to complete a multifaceted career development plan: Since my current
experience with electrophysiological recordings is limited to oscillatory activity from RNS participants, I will learn
to record and analyze human single-neuron activity from EMU patients in a clinical setting. My training will be
guided by pioneers in this research area, and will take place at UCLA, one of the world’s leading institutions in
the clinical and research work with thes...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10429673
- **Project number:** 1K99NS126715-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
- **Principal Investigator:** Matthias Stangl
- **Activity code:** K99 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $116,195
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-05-15 → 2024-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10429673

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10429673, Neural mechanisms of spatial representations beyond the self (1K99NS126715-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10429673. Licensed CC0.

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