A ventro-temporal area supporting human allocentric representations

Everyday interactions require not only knowing what objects are and where they are located in egocentric (body-centered) space but also understanding their internal spatial structure defined in allocentric (object-centered) space. Disruptions in allocentric computations have profound clinical consequences, yet the neural basis of such spatial coding mechanisms remains unclear. Classical models of visual cognition distinguish a ventral stream for object recognition, a dorsal stream for spatial processing, and a fronto-parietal network for attentional control. Here, we test the hypothesis that a recently identified region in the posterior infero-temporal cortex (PIT) may implement a key processing stage by integrating object and spatial information to support allocentric spatial representation. Using a novel behavioral paradigm combined with task-based and resting-state fMRI, we show that PIT is selectively engaged in allocentric processing yet exhibits a functional profile distinct from nearby visual category-selective cortex. Multivariate and representational similarity analyses reveal distinct allocentric and egocentric representations in PIT and posterior parietal cortex, with PIT supporting category-general allocentric representations across stimulus types. Connectivity analyses further show that PIT is stably coupled with the posterior parietal cortex across spatial demands but exhibits flexible, task-dependent interactions with ventral visual areas during allocentric (not egocentric) processing. These findings position PIT as a critical node at the interface of object and spatial systems, linking ventral stream representations with dorsal spatial processing in human visuospatial cognition.