Enriching hippocampal memory function in older adults through real-world exploration

Abstract

Age-related structural and functional changes in the hippocampus can have a severe impact on hippocampally-dependent memory performance. Here we test the hypothesis that a real-world spatial exploration intervention will improve hippocampally-dependent memory performance in healthy older adults. We found that following our intervention, participants lure discrimination index (LDI) was significantly higher than it was at baseline, while traditional recognition scores remained relatively unchanged. These results point to the viability of a spatial exploration intervention for improving hippocampally-dependent memory in older adults.