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Path Integration Deficits During Linear Locomotion After Human Medial Temporal Lobectomy, John W. Philbeck, Marlene Behrmann, Lucien Levy, Samuel J. Potolicchio, Anthony J. Caputy

Marlene Behrmann

Animal navigation studies have implicated structures in and around the hippocampal formation as crucial in performing path integration (a method of determining one's position by monitoring internally generated self-motion signals). Less is known about the role of these structures for human path integration. We tested path integration in patients who had undergone left or right medial temporal lobectomy as therapy for epilepsy. This procedure removed approximately 50% of the anterior portion of the hippocampus, as well as the amygdala and lateral temporal lobe. Participants attempted to walk without vision to a previously viewed target 2-6 m distant. Patients with right, …