Reaching the Goal: Superior Navigators in Late Adulthood Provide a Novel Perspective into Successful Cognitive Aging. (18th May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhou, Ruojing; Belge, Tuğçe; Wolbers, Thomas
• Is Part Of: Topics in cognitive science. Volume 15:Number 1(2023)
• Page Start: 15
• Page End: 45
• Publication Date: 2022-05-18
• Subjects: Spatial navigation -- Cognitive aging -- Hippocampus -- Episodic memory -- Superaging; Cognitive science -- Periodicals; Cognitive Science -- Periodicals; 153.05
• DOI: 10.1111/tops.12608
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1756-8757

Abstract

Abstract: Normal aging is typically associated with declines in navigation and spatial memory abilities. However, increased interindividual variability in performance across various navigation/spatial memory tasks is also evident with advancing age. In this review paper, we shed the spotlight on those older individuals who exhibit exceptional, sometimes even youth‐like navigational/spatial memory abilities. Importantly, we (1) showcase observations from existing studies that demonstrate superior navigation/spatial memory performance in late adulthood, (2) explore possible cognitive correlates and neurophysiological mechanisms underlying these preserved spatial abilities, and (3) discuss the potential link between the superior navigators in late adulthood and SuperAgers (older adults with superior episodic memory). In the closing section, given the lack of studies that directly focus on this subpopulation, we highlight several important directions that future studies could look into to better understand the cognitive characteristics of older superior navigators and the factors enabling such successful cognitive aging. Abstract : While old age is typically associated with a decline in spatial memory and navigational abilities, a subset of older adults demonstrates superior, sometimes even youth‐like performance. Here, we review cognitive and neural factors contributing to such superior spatial abilities, and we discuss potential links with preserved episodic memory in SuperAgers.