Allocentric Spatial Memory Performance in a Virtual Reality-Based Task is Conditioned by Visuospatial Working Memory Capacity

Traditionally, the medial temporal lobe has been considered a key brain region for spatial memory. Nevertheless, executive functions, such as working memory, also play an important role in complex behaviors, such as spatial navigation. Thus, the main goal of this study is to clarify the relationship...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Brain sciences 2020-08, Vol.10 (8), p.552
Main Authors: Escamilla, Joaquin Castillo, Castro, Jose Javier Fernandez, Baliyan, Shishir, Ortells-Pareja, Juan Jose, Rodriguez, Juan Jose Ortells, Cimadevilla, Jose Manuel
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis
Animal behavior
Animal memory
Boxes
Clinical trials
Cognitive ability
Computer applications
executive functions
Experiments
hippocampus
Influence
Localization
Memory
Memory span
Mental task performance
navigation
Navigation behavior
Short term memory
Software
Spatial ability
spatial learning
Spatial memory
spatial orientation
Statistical analysis
Temporal lobe
Virtual reality
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Summary:Traditionally, the medial temporal lobe has been considered a key brain region for spatial memory. Nevertheless, executive functions, such as working memory, also play an important role in complex behaviors, such as spatial navigation. Thus, the main goal of this study is to clarify the relationship between working memory capacity and spatial memory performance. Spatial memory was assessed using a virtual reality-based procedure, the Boxes Room task, and the visual working memory with the computer-based Change Localization Task. One hundred and twenty-three (n = 123) participants took part in this study. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) revealed a statistically significant relationship between working memory capacity and spatial abilities. Thereafter, two subgroups n = 60, were formed according to their performance in the working memory task (1st and 4th quartiles, n = 30 each). Results demonstrate that participants with high working memory capacity committed fewer mistakes in the spatial task compared to the low working memory capacity group. Both groups improved their performance through repeated trials of the spatial task, thus showing that they could learn spatial layouts independent of their working memory capacity. In conclusion, these findings support that spatial memory performance is directly related to working memory skills. This could be relevant for spatial memory assessment in brain lesioned patients.
ISSN:2076-3425
2076-3425
DOI:10.3390/brainsci10080552