Comparable rest-related promotion of spatial memory consolidation in younger and older adults

Craig, Michael, Wolbers, Thomas, Harris, Mathew A., Hauff, Patrick, Della Sala, Sergio and Dewar, Michaela (2016) Comparable rest-related promotion of spatial memory consolidation in younger and older adults. Neurobiology of Aging, 48. pp. 143-152. ISSN 0197-4580

Preview

Text Pdf_of_submitted_manuscript.pdf - Accepted Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives 4.0. Download (617kB) | Preview

Abstract

Flexible spatial navigation depends on cognitive mapping, a function that declines with increasing age. In young adults, a brief period of postnavigation rest promotes the consolidation and integration of spatial memories into accurate cognitive maps. We examined (1) whether rest promotes spatial memory consolidation and integration in older adults; and (2) whether the magnitude of the rest benefit changes with increasing age. Young and older adults learned a route through a virtual environment, followed by a 10-minute delay comprising either wakeful rest or a perceptual task, and a subsequent cognitive mapping task, requiring the pointing to landmarks from different locations. Pointing accuracy was lower in the older than younger adults. However, there was a comparable rest-related enhancement in pointing accuracy in the 2 age groups. Together our findings suggest that (1) the age-related decline in cognitive mapping cannot be explained by increased consolidation interference in older adults; and (2) as we grow older, rest continues to support the consolidation and integration of spatial memories.

Actions (login required)

View Item

Downloads