Understanding how the brain creates mental maps for navigation and memory.
Official title: CRCNS: Neural circuits for egocentric and allocentric cognitive maps in humans
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11082769 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how our brains create mental maps of our surroundings and our own position in them, using brain activity from epilepsy patients while they do virtual reality tasks, to help us better understand navigation and memory, which could be useful for people with cognitive disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $169,300 |
| NIH project number | 1R01MH139348-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11082769 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation are epilepsy patients who are undergoing treatment and can provide neural recordings during cognitive tasks.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to cognitive mapping or those who do not have epilepsy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the neural circuits in the human brain that are responsible for creating two types of cognitive maps: egocentric, which relates to personal spatial awareness, and allocentric, which relates to the external environment. By using advanced computational modeling and recording brain activity from epilepsy patients during virtual-reality tasks, the study aims to identify specific neurons that contribute to these cognitive maps. The findings could enhance our understanding of how we navigate and remember our surroundings, potentially leading to new insights into cognitive disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could improve treatments for cognitive disorders related to navigation and memory, such as dementia.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has successfully identified neural circuits related to cognitive mapping in animals, suggesting potential for similar findings in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jacobs, Joshua — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Jacobs, Joshua
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.