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Chang M, Hong B, Savel K, Du J, Meade ME, Martin CB, Barense MD. Spatial context scaffolds long-term episodic richness of weaker real-world autobiographical memories in both older and younger adults. Memory 2024; 32:431-448. [PMID: 38557252 DOI: 10.1080/09658211.2024.2334008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Remembering life experiences involves recalling not only what occurred (episodic details), but also where an event took place (spatial context), both of which decline with age. Although spatial context can cue episodic detail recollection, it is unknown whether initially recalling an event alongside greater reinstatement of spatial context protects memory for episodic details in the long term, and whether this is affected by age. Here, we analysed 1079 personally-experienced, real-world events from 29 older adults and 12 younger adults. Events were recalled first on average 6 weeks after they occurred and then again on average 24 weeks after they occurred. We developed a novel scoring protocol to quantify spatial contextual details and used the established Autobiographical Interview to quantify episodic details. We found improved recall of episodic details after a delay if those details had initially been recalled situated in greater spatial context. Notably, for both older and younger adults, this preservation was observed for memories initially recalled with low, but not high, numbers of episodic details, suggesting that spatial context aided episodic retrieval for memories that required more support. This work supports the notion that spatial context scaffolds detail-rich event recollection and inspires memory interventions that leverage this spatial scaffold.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miranda Chang
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | - Bryan Hong
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Katarina Savel
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jialin Du
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Melissa E Meade
- Department of Psychology, Huron University College, London, Canada
| | - Chris B Martin
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Morgan D Barense
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Hospital, Toronto, Canada
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Pawlaczyk NA, Milner R, Szmytke M, Kiljanek B, Bałaj B, Wypych A, Lewandowska M. Medial Temporal Lobe Atrophy in Older Adults With Subjective Cognitive Impairments Affects Gait Parameters in the Spatial Navigation Task. J Aging Phys Act 2024; 32:185-197. [PMID: 37989135 DOI: 10.1123/japa.2022-0335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Both navigation abilities and gait can be affected by the atrophy in the medial temporal cortex. This study aimed to determine whether navigation abilities could differentiate seniors with and without medial temporal lobe atrophy who complained about their cognitive status. The participants, classified to either the medial temporal atrophy group (n = 23) or the control group (n = 22) underwent neuropsychological assessment and performed a spatial navigation task while their gait parameters were recorded. The study showed no significant differences between the two groups in memory, fluency, and semantic knowledge or typical measures of navigating abilities. However, gait parameters, particularly the propulsion index during certain phases of the navigation task, distinguished between seniors with and without medial temporal lobe lesions. These findings suggest that the gait parameters in the navigation task may be a valuable tool for identifying seniors with cognitive complaints and subtle medial temporal atrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Anna Pawlaczyk
- Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences, Institute of Psychology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Torun, Poland
| | - Rafał Milner
- Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences, Institute of Psychology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Torun, Poland
| | | | - Bartłomiej Kiljanek
- Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences, Institute of Psychology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Torun, Poland
| | - Bibianna Bałaj
- Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences, Institute of Psychology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Torun, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Wypych
- Center for Modern Interdisciplinary Technologies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Torun, Poland
| | - Monika Lewandowska
- Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences, Institute of Psychology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Torun, Poland
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Muffato V, Miola L, Pellegrini M, Pazzaglia F, Meneghetti C. Investigating the different domains of environmental knowledge acquired from virtual navigation and their relationship to cognitive factors and wayfinding inclinations. Cogn Res Princ Implic 2023; 8:50. [PMID: 37530868 PMCID: PMC10397164 DOI: 10.1186/s41235-023-00506-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
When learning an environment from virtual navigation people gain knowledge about landmarks, their locations, and the paths that connect them. The present study newly aimed to investigate all these domains of knowledge and how cognitive factors such as visuospatial abilities and wayfinding inclinations might support virtual passive navigation. A total of 270 participants (145 women) were tested online. They: (i) completed visuospatial tasks and answered questionnaires on their wayfinding inclinations; and (ii) learnt a virtual path. The environmental knowledge they gained was assessed on their free recall of landmarks, their egocentric and allocentric pointing accuracy (location knowledge), and their performance in route direction and landmark location tasks (path knowledge). Visuospatial abilities and wayfinding inclinations emerged as two separate factors, and environmental knowledge as a single factor. The SEM model showed that both visuospatial abilities and wayfinding inclinations support the environmental knowledge factor, with similar pattern of relationships in men and women. Overall, factors related to the individual are relevant to the environmental knowledge gained from an online virtual passive navigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Muffato
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Via Venezia 8, 35131, Padua, Italy.
| | - Laura Miola
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Via Venezia 8, 35131, Padua, Italy
| | - Marilina Pellegrini
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Via Venezia 8, 35131, Padua, Italy
| | - Francesca Pazzaglia
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Via Venezia 8, 35131, Padua, Italy
- Interuniversity Research Center in Environmental Psychology (CIRPA), Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Meneghetti
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Via Venezia 8, 35131, Padua, Italy
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Lowry E, Coughlan G, Morrissey S, Jeffs S, Hornberger M. Spatial orientation - a stable marker for vascular cognitive impairment? CEREBRAL CIRCULATION - COGNITION AND BEHAVIOR 2022; 4:100155. [PMID: 36632487 PMCID: PMC9826950 DOI: 10.1016/j.cccb.2022.100155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) is the second most prevalent form of dementia, but little is known about the early cognitive and neuroimaging markers. Spatial navigation deficits are an emerging marker for Alzheimer's disease (AD), yet less is known about spatial orientation deficits sensitive to VCI. This case report follows up on the first VCI patient identified to have an egocentric orientation deficit. The study aimed to examine the patient's spatial deficits three years on and gain insights from the addition of the patient's MRI brain scan. A battery of spatial navigation tasks were administered following neuropsychological assessment. Results continue to show spatial orientation deficits. Critically, these changes appear stable and are sensitive to novel spatial tests. Whereas conventional screening tools demonstrate patient recovery. MRI DTI analysis indicates a non-significant trend towards loss of structural integrity to the posterior tracts of the longitudinal superior fasciculus (SLF), while the medial temporal lobe, typically implicated in spatial navigation, is unaffected. This finding potentially reflects reduced network connectivity in posterior to anterior white matter tracts co-existing with spatial orientation deficits. Findings have clinical utility and show spatial orientation as a potential sensitive cognitive marker for VCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Lowry
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom,Corresponding author at: Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ.
| | - Gillian Coughlan
- Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, United States
| | - Sol Morrissey
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen Jeffs
- Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Hornberger
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom
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Eudave L, Martínez M, Luis EO, Pastor MA. Egocentric distance perception in older adults: Results from a functional magnetic resonance imaging and driving simulator study. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:936661. [PMID: 36275008 PMCID: PMC9584650 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.936661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to appropriately perceive distances in activities of daily living, such as driving, is necessary when performing complex maneuvers. With aging, certain driving behaviors and cognitive functions change; however, it remains unknown if egocentric distance perception (EDP) performance is altered and whether its neural activity also changes as we grow older. To that end, 19 young and 17 older healthy adults drove in a driving simulator and performed an functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) experiment where we presented adults with an EDP task. We discovered that (a) EDP task performance was similar between groups, with higher response times in older adults; (b) older adults showed higher prefrontal and parietal activation; and (c) higher functional connectivity within frontal and parietal-occipital-cerebellar networks; and (d) an association between EDP performance and hard braking behaviors in the driving simulator was found. In conclusion, EDP functioning remains largely intact with aging, possibly due to an extended and effective rearrangement in functional brain resources, and may play a role in braking behaviors while driving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Eudave
- Neuroimaging Laboratory, Division of Neurosciences, Centre for Applied Medical Research, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- School of Education and Psychology, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- *Correspondence: Luis Eudave,
| | - Martín Martínez
- Neuroimaging Laboratory, Division of Neurosciences, Centre for Applied Medical Research, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- School of Education and Psychology, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Elkin O. Luis
- Neuroimaging Laboratory, Division of Neurosciences, Centre for Applied Medical Research, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- School of Education and Psychology, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - María A. Pastor
- Neuroimaging Laboratory, Division of Neurosciences, Centre for Applied Medical Research, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- María A. Pastor,
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Ladyka-Wojcik N, Olsen RK, Ryan JD, Barense MD. Flexible Use of Spatial Frames of Reference for Object-Location Memory in Older Adults. Brain Sci 2021; 11:1542. [PMID: 34827541 PMCID: PMC8616079 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11111542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In memory, representations of spatial features are stored in different reference frames; features relative to our position are stored egocentrically and features relative to each other are stored allocentrically. Accessing these representations engages many cognitive and neural resources, and so is susceptible to age-related breakdown. Yet, recent findings on the heterogeneity of cognitive function and spatial ability in healthy older adults suggest that aging may not uniformly impact the flexible use of spatial representations. These factors have yet to be explored in a precisely controlled task that explicitly manipulates spatial frames of reference across learning and retrieval. We used a lab-based virtual reality task to investigate the relationship between object-location memory across frames of reference, cognitive status, and self-reported spatial ability. Memory error was measured using Euclidean distance from studied object locations to participants' responses at testing. Older adults recalled object locations less accurately when they switched between frames of reference from learning to testing, compared with when they remained in the same frame of reference. They also showed an allocentric learning advantage, producing less error when switching from an allocentric to an egocentric frame of reference, compared with the reverse direction of switching. Higher MoCA scores and better self-assessed spatial ability predicted less memory error, especially when learning occurred egocentrically. We suggest that egocentric learning deficits are driven by difficulty in binding multiple viewpoints into a coherent representation. Finally, we highlight the heterogeneity of spatial memory performance in healthy older adults as a potential cognitive marker for neurodegeneration, beyond normal aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Ladyka-Wojcik
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G3, Canada; (R.K.O.); (J.D.R.); (M.D.B.)
| | - Rosanna K. Olsen
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G3, Canada; (R.K.O.); (J.D.R.); (M.D.B.)
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Health Sciences, Toronto, ON M6A 2E1, Canada
| | - Jennifer D. Ryan
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G3, Canada; (R.K.O.); (J.D.R.); (M.D.B.)
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Health Sciences, Toronto, ON M6A 2E1, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Morgan D. Barense
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G3, Canada; (R.K.O.); (J.D.R.); (M.D.B.)
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Health Sciences, Toronto, ON M6A 2E1, Canada
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