Egocentric body-axis-related and allocentric clover-like tuning of object vector representations supports human spatial cognition

Vector-based spatial representation is key for navigation, mapping direction and distance between self and environment. Though observed in rodents, its neural basis in humans remains unclear. Using high-resolution imaging and a novel spatial updating task, we found vectorial representations in retrosplenial and parahippocampal cortex, extending to parietal and entorhinal areas in self- and object-centered coordinates, respectively. Ego-centric directional signals peaked when the object was behind the navigator, while distance signals emerged only when the object was out of view, suggesting these signals might act as mnemonic buffers for vision-independent spatial mapping. Allocentric directional signals formed a clover-shaped four-axis pattern aligned to a common visual feature, with improved navigation accuracy along these axes, highlighting their functional relevance for human navigation. Rodent parallel single unit recordings indicated the clover pattern resulted from the average activity of neurons with allocentric vectorial properties, suggesting a shared, cross-species mechanism. Collectively, our findings demonstrate a vector-based population code detectable via fMRI, potentially serving as a neural reference axis that anchors objects to internal maps, supporting flexible navigation and perhaps broader cognition.