Clover-like object vector representations support human spatial cognition

Abstract

Vector-based spatial coding has been demonstrated in rodents, yet its neural basis in humans and its contribution to navigation remain poorly understood. Using a novel spatial updating task, we show that egocentric directional signals peak when objects are located behind the navigator, while distance signals emerge only when objects are out of view, suggesting a mnemonic role for vision-independent spatial mapping. Allocentric signals form a clover-shaped, four-axis pattern aligned to visual features, with improved navigation accuracy along its axes. Parallel rodent recordings further show the clover pattern arises from averaged activity of allocentric vectorial neurons, suggesting conserved cross-species mechanisms. Together, our findings uncover vector-based representations in the human brain, potentially serving as a neural reference axis to anchor objects to internal maps and support navigation.