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Updated: Jun 5, 2025

Author Spotlight: Investigating the Effects of Mind-Body-Movement Practices on Brain Function
Published on: January 26, 2024
Perceptual learning and neural correlates of virtual navigation in subjective cognitive decline: A pilot study
Amir Amedi1, Shahar Shelly2,3, Nira Saporta4
1The Baruch Ivcher Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Technology, Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology, Reichman University, Herzliya, Israel.
Abstract:
Spatial navigation deficits in age-related diseases involve brain changes affecting spatial memory and verbal cognition. Studies in blind and blindfolded individuals show that multisensory training can induce neuroplasticity through visual cortex recruitment. This proof-of-concept study introduces a digital navigation training protocol, integrating egocentric and allocentric strategies with multisensory stimulation and visual masking to enhance spatial cognition and brain connectivity in 17 individuals (mean age 57.2 years) with subjective cognitive decline. Results indicate improved spatial memory performance correlated with recruitment of the visual area 6-thalamic pathway and enhanced connectivity between memory, executive frontal areas, and default mode network (DMN) regions. Additionally, increased connectivity between allocentric and egocentric navigation areas via the retrosplenial complex (RSC) hub was observed. These findings suggest that this training has the potential to induce perceptual learning and neuroplasticity through key functional connectivity hubs, offering potential widespread cognitive benefits by enhancing critical brain network functions.
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