A network linking scene perception and spatial memory systems in posterior cerebral cortex

The neural systems supporting scene-perception and spatial-memory systems of the human brain are well-described. But how do these neural systems interact? Here, using fine-grained individual-subject fMRI, we report three cortical areas of the human brain, each lying immediately anterior to a region of the scene perception network in posterior cerebral cortex, that selectively activate when recalling familiar real-world locations. Despite their close proximity to the scene-perception areas, network analyses show that these regions constitute a distinct functional network that interfaces with spatial memory systems during naturalistic scene understanding. These place-memory areas offer a new framework for understanding how the brain implements memory-guided visual behaviors, including navigation. Navigation requires integration of visual information with spatial memory representations. Steel et al. describe a new network of brain areas that facilitates the interaction between these perceptual and mnemonic neural systems.

Automated summary

This study utilized fine-grained individual-subject fMRI to identify three cortical areas in the human brain, located near the scene perception network, that selectively activate during recalling familiar real-world locations. Despite their proximity to scene-perception areas, these regions form a distinct functional network that interfaces with spatial memory systems during naturalistic scene understanding. These findings offer a new framework for comprehending how the brain implements memory-guided visual behaviors, such as navigation.