Grid codes underlie multiple cognitive maps in the human brain

Abstract

Grid cells fire at multiple positions that organize the vertices of equilateral triangles tiling a 2D space and are well studied in rodents. The last decade witnessed rapid progress in two other research lines on grid codes—empirical studies on distributed human grid-like representations in physical and multiple non-physical spaces, and cognitive computational models addressing the function of grid cells based on principles of efficient and predictive coding. Here, we review the progress in these fields and integrate these lines into a systematic organization. We also discuss the coordinate mechanisms of grid codes in the human entorhinal cortex and medial prefrontal cortex and their role in neurological and psychiatric diseases.