Neural Encoding of Orientation Studies have shown that animals construct internal neural representations of their spatial environment 257 “ Place cells" have a response component 106 related to the animals location in an environment ad Direction" cells discharge as a function of the animals head direction Copyright isi! The Aha y Pro+d in a horizontal plane independent of the animals place, behavior, or head pitch or roll (up to 90 deg) 16. 423 SBE(Neurovestibular Countermeasures16.423 SBE (Neurovestibular Countermeasures Neural Encoding of Orientation • Studies have shown that animals construct internal neural representations of their spatial environment. – “Place cells” have a response component related to the animal’s location in an environment. – “Head Direction” cells discharge as a function of the animal’s head direction in a horizontal plane, independent of the animal’s place, behavior, or head pitch or roll (up to 90 deg)