Abstract
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.
Highlights
Spatial memory is a basic ability used to properly orientate ourselves in our environmental surroundings
A malfunction in this system can lead to inefficient cognitive mapping, navigational problems, or topographical disorientation, especially when using allocentric spatial representations based on the knowledge about spatial stimuli available in the environment [5,6]
A repeated measures ANOVA was applied to the number of errors in the spatial memory task, (Group—high vs. low working memory capacity (WMC)- × Block of trials), with repeated measures in the last variable
Summary
Spatial memory is a basic ability used to properly orientate ourselves in our environmental surroundings It involves a complex network, affecting frontal, and parietal and occipital areas [1]. Different studies have further explored the frontotemporal network’s central role in spatial memory performance [7,8,9] This frontal function allows us to actively manipulate information for executing complex tasks [10] and favors the maintenance of relevant information while discarding that regarded as irrelevant [11]. Both regions, medial-temporal and frontal, are directly and indirectly connected [12]. Temporal lobe dynamics are suggested to modulate prefrontal physiology and
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