Journal Article

DZNE-2020-07191

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Aging and spatial cues influence the updating of navigational memories.

Merhav, M. (First author)DZNE* ; Wolbers, T. (Last author)DZNE*

2019
Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer Nature [London]

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1038/s41598-019-47971-2

Abstract: Updating navigational memories is important for everyday tasks. It was recently found that older adults are impaired in updating spatial representations in small, bi-dimensional layouts. Because performance in small-scale areas cannot predict navigational behavior, we investigated how aging affects the updating of navigational memories encoded in large, 3-dimensional environments. Moreover, since locations can be encoded relative to the observer (egocentric encoding) or relative to landmarks (allocentric encoding), we tested whether the presumed age-related spatial updating deficit depends on the available spatial cues. By combining whole-body motion tracking with immersive virtual reality, we could dissociate egocentric and allocentric spatial cues and assess navigational memory under ecologically valid conditions (i.e., providing body-based and visual cues). In the task, objects were relocated overnight, and young and older participants had to navigate to the updated locations of the objects. In addition to replicating age-related deficits in allocentric memory, we found age-related impairments in updating navigational memories following egocentric encoding. Finally, older participants depicted stronger representations of the previous navigational context that were correlated with their spatial updating deficits. Given that these effects may stem from inefficient suppression of former navigational memories, our findings propose a mechanism that helps explain the navigational decline in aging.

Keyword(s): Age Factors (MeSH) ; Aged (MeSH) ; Aging: physiology (MeSH) ; Cognitive Dysfunction: diagnosis (MeSH) ; Cognitive Dysfunction: physiopathology (MeSH) ; Cues (MeSH) ; Female (MeSH) ; Humans (MeSH) ; Male (MeSH) ; Space Perception: physiology (MeSH) ; Spatial Memory: physiology (MeSH) ; Spatial Navigation: physiology (MeSH) ; Virtual Reality (MeSH) ; Young Adult (MeSH)

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Aging, Cognition and Technology (AG Wolbers)

Research Program(s):

1. 344 - Clinical and Health Care Research (POF3-344) (POF3-344)

Appears in the scientific report 2019

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Database coverage:
; ; ; ; BIOSIS Previews ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences ; DOAJ Seal ; Ebsco Academic Search ; IF < 5 ; JCR ; SCOPUS ; Web of Science Core Collection ; Zoological Record

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