Source memory across the lifespan: Insights from a virtual reality based neuropsychological assessment

The goal of the current study was to study the contribution of source memory, more specifically, a source memory task, on the memory performance measured with a novel virtual reality (VR)-based neuropsychological assessment test, i.e., the Suite Test.

The sample included 676 subjects (49.7% female), aged from 12 to 85 years. The Suite test comprises a 360-degree VR environment designed as a furniture shop. Participants must group specific sets of furniture items (ordered by different families of customers) by clicking on the furniture to be packed, following instructions from a voice-over. All participants were administered the full version of the test, which comprises, among others, an immediate recall task, a source memory task, a short-term delayed recall task, a long-term delayed recall task, and a recognition trial.

Performance on the VR source memory task was associated with recall across age groups, with a stronger contribution in older adults, often enhancing long-term recall. In contrast, younger individuals relied more on immediate and short-term delayed recall, with weaker relationships between source memory and the other types, suggesting that it plays a more secondary role in younger participants.

The Suite Test VR-based test effectively explores source memory contributions across the lifespan. By immersing participants in a dynamic VR environment, it reveals how source memory relates to other memory types, showing age-related differences and offering valuable insights about cognitive changes, as well as about future research implications in the area of memory assessment.