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01-07-2020 | Mild Cognitive Impairment | Original Article

The differential effect of normal and pathological aging on egocentric and allocentric spatial memory in navigational and reaching space

Authors: Alessandro O. Caffò, Antonella Lopez, Giuseppina Spano, Fabrizio Stasolla, Silvia Serino, Pietro Cipresso, Giuseppe Riva, Andrea Bosco

Published in: Neurological Sciences | Issue 7/2020

Abstract

Background

Topographical disorientation (TD) refers to a particular condition which determines the loss of spatial orientation, both in new and familiar environments. TD and spatial memory impairments occur relatively early as effect of cognitive decline in aging, even in prodromal stages of dementia, namely mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Aims

(a) To show that components linked to the recall of familiar spatial knowledge are relatively spared with respect to the learning of unfamiliar ones in normal aging, while they are not in MCI, and (b) to investigate gender differences for their impact on egocentric and allocentric frames of reference.

Method

Forty young participants (YC), 40 healthy elderly participants (HE), 40 elderly participants with subjective memory complaints (SMC), and 40 elderly with probable MCI were administered with egocentric and allocentric familiar tasks, based on the map of their hometown, and with egocentric and allocentric unfamiliar tasks, based on new material to be learned. A series of general linear models were used to analyze data.

Results

No group differences were found on egocentric task based on familiar information. MCI performed worse than the other groups on allocentric tasks based on familiar information (YC = HE = SMC > MCI). Significant differences emerged between groups on egocentric and allocentric tasks based on unfamiliar spatial information (YC > HE = SMC > MCI). A gender difference was found, favoring men on allocentric unfamiliar task.

Conclusion

Familiarity of spatial memory traces can represent a protective factor for retrospective components of TD in normal aging. Conversely, using newly learned information for assessment may lead to overestimating TD severity.

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Title: The differential effect of normal and pathological aging on egocentric and allocentric spatial memory in navigational and reaching space
Authors: Alessandro O. Caffò
Antonella Lopez
Giuseppina Spano
Fabrizio Stasolla
Silvia Serino
Pietro Cipresso
Giuseppe Riva
Andrea Bosco
Publication date: 01-07-2020
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Keyword: Mild Cognitive Impairment
Published in: Neurological Sciences / Issue 7/2020
Print ISSN: 1590-1874
Electronic ISSN: 1590-3478
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-020-04261-4

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

The differential effect of normal and pathological aging on egocentric and allocentric spatial memory in navigational and reaching space

Abstract

Background

Aims

Method

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Aims

Method

Results

Conclusion

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