NeuroNavigation: how the brain represents the space we live in and finds our way around

• 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm on Tuesday 18 June 2013
• at The Royal Society, London

Ferrier Lecture by Professor John O'Keefe FRS

Event Details

Learning about new environments or locating ourselves in familiar environments are some of the most fundamental tasks that the brain performs. Information is not stored in response to biological needs such as hunger or thirst but on the basis of cognitive motivations such as curiosity and a desire to map the unknown. There is a dedicated structure in the brain called the hippocampus at the centre of the cognitive mapping network which performs these tasks.

In this lecture Professor O’Keefe will describe the way in which the hippocampal formation carries out these operations, and in particular the different types of neuronal activities underpinning the senses of place, direction and distance which contribute to the creation of the cognitive map. 

The Ferrier Lecture is given on a subject relating to the structure and function of the nervous system.  Professor John O'Keefe was presented this award for his pioneering work in cognitive neuroscience, especially on the role of the hippocampus, and the mechanisms supporting memory and cognition.

A live video will be available on this page when the event starts and a recorded video will be available a few days afterwards.

Enquiries: Contact the events team