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Updated: Jan 31, 2026
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The Spatial Memory Game: Testing the Relationship Between Spatial Language, Object Knowledge, and Spatial Cognition
Published on: February 19, 2018
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Spatial memory ability during middle age may depend on level of spatial similarity
McKenna E Williams1, Lisa V Graves2, Shannon Yandall DeJesus1
1Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California 92182, USA.
Learning & Memory (Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.)
|December 19, 2018
Summary
Subtle declines in spatial memory may begin in middle age, especially when recalling similar locations. Young adults consistently performed best across all age groups and spatial memory challenges.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Human Aging Research
- Human Memory Studies
Background:
- Spatial memory decline is a known aspect of aging.
- Limited research exists on spatial memory changes during middle age.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate spatial memory performance across different age groups: young, middle-aged, and older adults.
- To assess how varying levels of spatial similarity (distance) impact spatial memory recall in these age groups.
Main Methods:
- Participants included healthy young, middle-aged, and older adults.
- A spatial memory task was administered with trials varying in spatial similarity (distance).
- Performance was compared across age groups under different similarity conditions.
Main Results:
- Young adults outperformed middle-aged adults, who in turn outperformed older adults on low similarity trials (P < 0.05).
- Young adults significantly outperformed both middle-aged and older adults on high similarity trials (P < 0.05).
- Middle-aged and older adults showed no significant difference in performance on high similarity trials.
Conclusions:
- Age-related spatial memory changes may subtly emerge during middle age.
- High spatial similarity presents a greater challenge, potentially revealing early-stage age-related memory deficits in middle-aged individuals.
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