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Multisensory Gains in Simple Detection Predict Global Cognition in Schoolchildren
Solange Denervaud1,2, Edouard Gentaz2,3, Pawel J Matusz1,4,5
1The Laboratory for Investigative Neurophysiology (The LINE), Department of Radiology, Vaudois University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Scientific Reports
|February 6, 2020
Summary
Early multisensory processing in children predicts later cognitive abilities. This suggests that simple detection tasks could screen for neurodevelopmental disorders and inform educational strategies.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Sensory Integration
Background:
- Multisensory integration is crucial for perception and cognition throughout life.
- Early multisensory experiences can enhance learning and recognition memory.
- Everyday learning environments are inherently multisensory, suggesting their role in cognitive development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the predictive relationship between multisensory processing benefits in simple detection tasks and higher-level cognitive functions in schoolchildren.
- To determine if low-level multisensory benefits predict recognition memory, working memory, and fluid intelligence.
- To explore the potential of simple multisensory tasks as screening tools for cognitive development.
Main Methods:
- Multiple regression analyses were used to assess predictive relationships.
- Participants included 68 schoolchildren aged 4.5–15 years.
- Measures included a simple multisensory detection task, a continuous recognition task, and age-standardized working memory and fluid intelligence tests.
Main Results:
- Multisensory benefits in simple detection significantly predicted recognition memory for naturalistic objects (p=0.009).
- These multisensory benefits also predicted working memory (p=0.023) and fluid intelligence (p=0.033) scores.
- Unisensory detection gains did not predict any global cognition measures.
Conclusions:
- Low-level multisensory processing in children predicts higher-order memory and cognitive functions.
- Findings suggest a need to revise cognitive development models to include multisensory processing.
- Simple multisensory detection tasks show promise as cost-effective screening tools for cognitive integrity in children.
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