Brain organizes actions like it maps space

A new study reveals the human brain uses cognitive maps, similar to those for spatial navigation, to organize action-outcome associations. This suggests a new understanding of how we plan and execute actions. Researchers found these action maps, located in the hippocampus, interact with the motor system. This interaction supports goal-directed behavior and flexible decision-making by influencing how actions are perceived and chosen. The research, using virtual reality and fMRI, expands the role of cognitive maps beyond spatial awareness. It suggests that action planning involves interconnected neural networks linking memory, perception, and motor control.