Future trends in brain aging research: Visuo-cognitive functions at stake during mobility and spatial navigation

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Gerontology
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Aging causes structural and functional brain changes affecting sensorimotor, perceptual, and cognitive functions.
• Reduced autonomy in older adults is linked to environmental interaction challenges and neurodegenerative diseases.
• Spatial cognition, crucial for daily tasks, integrates sensory processing, motor control, and navigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the impact of aging on spatial cognition and autonomy.
• To highlight the role of visuo-motor integration and cognitive resources in real-world navigation.
• To advocate for naturalistic experimental paradigms in brain aging research.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on aging, spatial cognition, and navigation.
• Discussion of technological advancements like immersive virtual reality and mobile neuroimaging.
• Emphasis on ecologically valid experimental designs.

Main Results:

• Spatial navigation relies heavily on visuo-motor integration and cognitive resource allocation during locomotion.
• Technological tools enable the study of perception-action interplay in navigation.
• Current research often overlooks perceptual and motor aspects in static conditions.

Conclusions:

• Studying spatial behavior can reveal early markers of age-related brain changes.
• Future research should adopt naturalistic approaches to understand mobility and autonomy decline.
• Technological innovations are key to exploring complex navigation behaviors in aging populations.