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Updated: Apr 21, 2026
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Published on: March 3, 2023
Spatial learning in a virtual reality-based task is altered in very preterm children
José M Cimadevilla1, Lola Roldán, María París
1a Department of Psychology , University of Almería , Almería , Spain.
Insights
Very preterm children show deficits in spatial memory, impacting learning and memory abilities. Virtual reality tasks revealed impaired hippocampal function in these children compared to controls.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Very preterm birth can impede nervous system development, particularly the vulnerable hippocampus.
- The perinatal period is crucial for hippocampal growth, influencing learning and memory functions.
- Spatial memory relies on the integrity of the hippocampus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess spatial memory in very preterm children using virtual reality.
- To compare the performance of very preterm children with a control group.
Main Methods:
- Virtual reality-based tasks were employed to evaluate spatial memory.
- Twenty very preterm children (7-8 years old) and a control group participated.
- Two difficulty conditions were implemented in the tasks.
Main Results:
- Very preterm children made more errors in locating rewarded positions than controls.
- No significant differences in mean speed were found between groups, indicating preserved motor abilities.
- Performance suggests an impact on hippocampal function in very preterm children.
Conclusions:
- Spatial memory is affected in children born very preterm.
- Virtual reality is a viable tool for assessing cognitive functions in this population.
- Further research should explore other contributing variables to these deficits.
Abstract:
Very preterm births prevent a complete development of the nervous system. The hippocampus is especially vulnerable in this population since the perinatal period is critical for its growth and development. Learning and memory abilities, like spatial memory, depend on the hippocampal integrity. In this study we applied virtual-reality-based tasks to assess spatial memory in a sample of 20 very preterm children of 7 and 8 years of age. Two different conditions of difficulty were used. Very preterm children performed poorly in the task in comparison with the control group. They committed more errors than controls searching for the rewarded positions. However, no significant differences were observed in the mean speed, an index of the motor abilities and joystick handling. These results suggest that the hippocampal function is affected in this sample. Nevertheless, other variables to consider are discussed.
