Route Repetition and Route Retracing: Effects of Cognitive Aging
Retracing a recently traveled route is a frequent navigation task when learning novel routes or exploring unfamiliar environments. In the present study we utilized virtual environments technology to investigate age-related differences in repeating and retracing a learned route. In the training phase...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2012-05-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fnagi.2012.00007/full |
| _version_ | 1818596360955363328 |
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| author | Jan Malte Wiener Hana eKmecova Olivier ede Condappa |
| author_facet | Jan Malte Wiener Hana eKmecova Olivier ede Condappa |
| author_sort | Jan Malte Wiener |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Retracing a recently traveled route is a frequent navigation task when learning novel routes or exploring unfamiliar environments. In the present study we utilized virtual environments technology to investigate age-related differences in repeating and retracing a learned route. In the training phase of the experiment participants were guided along a route consisting of multiple intersections each featuring one unique landmark. In the subsequent test phase, they were guided along short sections of the route and asked to indicate overall travel direction (repetition or retracing), the direction required to continue along the route, and the next landmark they would encounter. Results demonstrate age-related deficits in all three tasks. More specifically, in contrast to younger participants, the older participants had greater problems during route retracing than during route repetition. While route repetition can be solved with egocentric response or route strategies, successfully retracing a route requires allocentric processing. The age-related deficits in route retracing are discussed in the context of impaired allocentric processing and shifts from allocentric to egocentric navigation strategies as a consequence of age-related hippocampal degeneration. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-16T11:30:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ddd3367178fa4e2b9020d5070625dc4a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1663-4365 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-16T11:30:41Z |
| publishDate | 2012-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience |
| spelling | doaj.art-ddd3367178fa4e2b9020d5070625dc4a2022-12-21T22:33:15ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience1663-43652012-05-01410.3389/fnagi.2012.0000726556Route Repetition and Route Retracing: Effects of Cognitive AgingJan Malte Wiener0Hana eKmecova1Olivier ede Condappa2Bournemouth UniversityBournemouth UniversityBournemouth UniversityRetracing a recently traveled route is a frequent navigation task when learning novel routes or exploring unfamiliar environments. In the present study we utilized virtual environments technology to investigate age-related differences in repeating and retracing a learned route. In the training phase of the experiment participants were guided along a route consisting of multiple intersections each featuring one unique landmark. In the subsequent test phase, they were guided along short sections of the route and asked to indicate overall travel direction (repetition or retracing), the direction required to continue along the route, and the next landmark they would encounter. Results demonstrate age-related deficits in all three tasks. More specifically, in contrast to younger participants, the older participants had greater problems during route retracing than during route repetition. While route repetition can be solved with egocentric response or route strategies, successfully retracing a route requires allocentric processing. The age-related deficits in route retracing are discussed in the context of impaired allocentric processing and shifts from allocentric to egocentric navigation strategies as a consequence of age-related hippocampal degeneration.http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fnagi.2012.00007/fullspatial memoryroute retracingroute learningcognitive agingwayfindingnavigation |
| spellingShingle | Jan Malte Wiener Hana eKmecova Olivier ede Condappa Route Repetition and Route Retracing: Effects of Cognitive Aging Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience spatial memory route retracing route learning cognitive aging wayfinding navigation |
| title | Route Repetition and Route Retracing: Effects of Cognitive Aging |
| title_full | Route Repetition and Route Retracing: Effects of Cognitive Aging |
| title_fullStr | Route Repetition and Route Retracing: Effects of Cognitive Aging |
| title_full_unstemmed | Route Repetition and Route Retracing: Effects of Cognitive Aging |
| title_short | Route Repetition and Route Retracing: Effects of Cognitive Aging |
| title_sort | route repetition and route retracing effects of cognitive aging |
| topic | spatial memory route retracing route learning cognitive aging wayfinding navigation |
| url | http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fnagi.2012.00007/full |
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