Abstract
Navigation is a complex process, requiring target localization, route planning or retrieval, and physical displacement. Executive functions (EFs) such as working memory, inhibition and planning are fundamental for succeeding in this complex activity and are often impaired in Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Our aim was to analyze the feasibility of a new ecological navigation task, the Virtual City paradigm™ (VC™) to test visuo-spatial memory and EFs in children with ADHD. Visuo-spatial short and working memory, inhibition and planning skills were tested with standardized tasks. The VC™, a new paradigm developed by our group, used the Virtual CarpetTM technology, consisting of a virtual town with houses, streets and crossroads projected on the ground. It includes a motion capture system, tracking body movement in 3D in real time. In one condition, children were required to walk through the city and reach a sequence of houses. In the other, before walking, they had to plan the shortest path to reach the houses, inhibiting the prepotent response to start walking. The results show a good feasibility of the paradigm (feasibility checklist and ad hoc questionnaire), being ecological and motivating. VC™ measures of span positively correlated with visuo-spatial short and working memory measures, suggesting that VC™ heavily relies on efficient spatial memory. Individual subject analyses suggested that children with ADHD may approach this task differently from typically developing children. Larger samples of ADHD and healthy children may further explore the specific role of EFs and memory, potentially opening new avenues for intervention.
Highlights
Spatial navigation is certainly one of the most complex neural functions in humans and one that is absolutely vital to everyday life
The primary aim of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of the VC paradigmTM for assessing visual-spatial memory and Executive functions (EFs) in a navigation task in children with ADHD
The device could be used efficiently with no need for external technical support, with intuitive hardware and software instructions, the sensors being non-invasive and the entire device not posing any danger to the child
Summary
Spatial navigation is certainly one of the most complex neural functions in humans and one that is absolutely vital to everyday life. Retrieving locations and paths, planning routes to distant destinations, ascertaining one’s location in space, drawing and reading maps, are all daily navigational tasks. A lack of navigation skills may impair one’s ability to find things, reach targets, avoid obstacles, and return home. In spite of a large amount of studies on navigation deficits in patients with neurological deficits [1,2,3,4,5], the availability of validated diagnostic tools for navigation disorders is still extremely limited. There are no studies assessing navigation in patients with neurodevelopmental disorders, as Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
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