Technology and Dementia Preconference

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Gerontology
• Cognitive Psychology

Background:

• Alzheimer's Disease (AD) pathology impacts the medial temporal lobe (MTL) early, affecting spatial navigation.
• Spatial navigation deficits are an early cognitive symptom of AD.
• Targeted behavioral interventions may mitigate these navigation impairments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess a novel smartphone-assisted real-world wayfinding training for healthy older adults.
• To evaluate improvements in spatial abilities after the training.
• To explore associations between navigation performance, hippocampal vascularization, and AD biomarkers.

Main Methods:

• 38 healthy older adults (62-84 years) underwent a 3-week smartphone navigation training ('Explore' app).
• GPS data recorded during real-world navigation tasks; pre/post fMRI, virtual pointing tasks, and VWLT administered.
• AD biomarkers (plasma Abeta1-42/1-40, Ptau217) and hippocampal vascularization (7T angiography) were assessed.

Main Results:

• Navigation training significantly improved performance in pointing and map drawing tasks (p <.001).
• Mobile wayfinding data showed significant training benefits (p ≤.017).
• Improved wayfinding efficiency correlated with reduced hippocampal vessel distance (r=.44, p=.012); higher pTau217 correlated with fewer orientation stops (r=-.38, p=.019).

Conclusions:

• Remotely administered real-world wayfinding training enhances spatial abilities and navigation in older adults.
• Hippocampal vascularization may positively influence wayfinding efficiency.
• Elevated pTau217 levels were associated with specific navigation behaviors, suggesting a link to AD pathology.