Neuroscience research on human visual path integration: Topical review of the path completion paradigm and underlying role of the hippocampal formation from a strategic perspective.

Abstract

Over the past 30 years, numerous neuroscientific studies involving both human and rodent subjects have investigated the brain regions and networks supporting path integration and sought to identify the underlying neural mechanisms. Although these studies contributed to an increased understanding of path integration, a full picture of the brain mechanisms supporting path integration remains wanting. Hence, the current review was conducted with the aim of presenting an overview of the most notable neuroscientific studies on visual path integration in humans, identifying the commonalities and discrepancies in their findings, and introducing fresh ideas for future research. Specifically, this review focused on studies performed with virtual simulations of the triangle/path completion task and addressed whether or not the hippocampal formation is necessary for human path integration. Based on findings that supported and contradicted the involvement of the hippocampal formation in path integration, it was proposed that the use of different path integration strategies may determine the extent to which the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex are engaged during human path integration. To this end, recent studies investigating the impact of different path integration strategies on behavioral performance and functional brain activity were discussed. Methodological concerns were raised with feasible recommendations for improving the experimental design of future strategy-focused human path integration studies, which can cover cognitive neuroscience research on age-related differences in the role of the hippocampal formation in path integration and Bayesian modeling of the interaction between landmark and self-motion cues. The practical value of investigating different path integration strategies was also discussed briefly from a biomedical perspective.

Call to Action: Strategic Spatial Intervention Program (SSIP) for Improving the Spatial Reasoning and Navigational Skills of Older Adults

“…Given these findings, I propose an intervention study to identify and remediate spatial navigational declines in a sample of poor navigators in Singapore's elderly population. With a decade-long training in researching strategic thinking in spatial navigation (see Zhong & Kozhevnikov, 2016;Zhong, 2013Zhong, , 2022, this study will focus on designing and implementing a Strategic Spatial Intervention Program (SSIP). The program intends to train both young and older adults, comprising both good and poor navigators, in the proper use of allocentric spatial navigation and cognitive mapping strategies.…”

“…Their rigorous findings show that spatial navigation abilities decline with increasing age, affecting cognitive functions crucial for daily living, such as attention, executive functioning, fluid intelligence, and long-term and working memories (Mollusky et al, 2023;Reynolds, Zhong, et al, 2019;Zhong et al, 2017;Zhong & Moffat, 2016. Emphasizing the importance of understanding the neurocognitive mechanisms behind these age-related declines, I believe such understanding can have significant applied implications for the well-being and quality of life of older adults (Mollusky et al, 2023;Zhong, 2022;. Therefore, in this proposal, I argue for the urgency of designing strategic training or intervention methods to attenuate declines in spatial navigation among the elderly, aiming for significant improvements in older adults' overall independence of movement and psychological well-being (see also Zhong, 2022, for a detailed discussion).…”

“…Emphasizing the importance of understanding the neurocognitive mechanisms behind these age-related declines, I believe such understanding can have significant applied implications for the well-being and quality of life of older adults (Mollusky et al, 2023;Zhong, 2022;. Therefore, in this proposal, I argue for the urgency of designing strategic training or intervention methods to attenuate declines in spatial navigation among the elderly, aiming for significant improvements in older adults' overall independence of movement and psychological well-being (see also Zhong, 2022, for a detailed discussion).…”

Enhancing spatial navigation skills in mild cognitive impairment patients: a usability study of a new version of ANTaging software

“…In contrast, non-amnestic MCI, which affects cognitive domains other than memory, can potentially lead to various forms of dementia, such as frontotemporal, vascular, or Lewy body dementia ( Petersen et al, 2001 ). Among the cognitive indicators of this stage, age-related impairments in navigation and spatial memory have historically received less attention; however, they are now the subject of growing research interest ( Zhong and Moffat, 2018 ; see Zhong, 2022 for a recent review).…”

“…To navigate the environment effectively, it is essential to adaptively switch between and blend these two spatial references in response to the specific demands of the surroundings ( Lester et al, 2017 ; Zhong and Moffat, 2018 ). Accordingly, spatial updating can exist through two formats or reference systems in which egocentric and allocentric spatial relations are processed, respectively ( Zhong and Kozhevnikov, 2016 ; Zhong, 2022 ). On the one hand, egocentric navigation can be defined as a dynamic process in which an individual consistently calculates and updates transient self-to-object relations with surrounding items, landmarks, or locations, while navigating a path relying on internal bodily signals (i.e., proprioception and vestibular feedback) and external signals (i.e., acoustic and optic flow) ( Zhong and Kozhevnikov, 2016 ).…”