View clinical trials related to Spatial Navigation.
Filter by:Spatial navigation (SN) has been reported to be one of the first cognitive domains to be affected in Alzheimer's disease (AD), which occurs as a result of progressive neuropathology involving specific brain areas. Moreover, the epsilon 4 isoform of Apolipoprotein-E (APOE-ε4) has been associated with both sporadic and familial late-onset AD and patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) due to AD are more likely to progressively deteriorate. It will be investigated (i) whether amyloid-positive MCI patients and APOE-ε4 carriers show subtle changes of SN prior to the overt symptoms of AD disorientation, both in virtual and in naturalistic open-space tasks, and (ii) the effect of a combined treatment of computer-based and virtual reality tasks in those presenting such an impairment. Finally, (iii) threshold algorithms based on physiological parameters and gait analysis will be set up to support senior citizens at increased risk in maintaining their ability to independently navigate urban environments. Different types of navigational guidance will be examined on a sample of 76 older adults by the AppleGame, and the Detour Navigation Test-modified version. It is expected that patients with MCI due to AD and APOE-ε4 carriers show reduced SN performances than individuals with subjective cognitive impairment and healthy controls in the experimental tasks, with potential improvements after cognitive rehabilitation. Altered SN performances of individuals at increased risk to develop AD may inform future advanced technological applications in providing valuable information on threshold algorithms based on physiological parameters and gait analysis during elders' traveling to unfamiliar locations.
Our specific aim is to examine the effects of TMS on spatial processing during goal-directed navigation. In these experiments the investigators will utilize a scalp-recorded brain oscillation called right posterior theta that is believed to index the sensitivity of the parahippocampal cortex to spatial context. Here the investigators will asked whether this electrophysiological signal can be modulated up or down using TMS while participants engage in virtual navigation tasks, and if so, whether it would affect the spatial encoding of rewards and subsequent choices during task performance.
Pilot testing and development of an immersive virtual reality system for spatial navigation training in mild cognitive impairment syndrome.
This study investigates the time course and magnitude of eight months of isolation and confinement in a spaceflight analog facility on brain changes and cognitive performance. The study also assesses the feasibility of an immersive and interactive virtual environment (VE) to enhance positive affect and mental well-being during prolonged isolation and confinement.
The proposed study aims to investigate the use of a driving simulator in a virtual reality (VR) environment to improve the cognition state and spatial navigation of individuals with mild/moderate memory impairment. All volunteers will be assessed by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA),Montgomery-Asberg Depression Scale (MADRS) and Morris Water orientation tests for baseline assessment after they sign the consent form and are enrolled into the study. Participants will also be scheduled for post-intervention assessments (MADRS, Morris Water Orientation and a simple questionnaire on how they evaluate the experiment). Participants of the study will play the driving simulator daily (5 days/week) for 15-20 minutes/day over a period of 2 consecutive weeks. Participants' daily performance data are recorded and uploaded on the secure server of the Priciple Investigator (PI). Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) test will also be run after the first session of the experiment and at the end of the training period.
Motor control includes postural control and voluntary movement. For an optimal motor control it is necessary that brain integrates vestibular, visual and somatosensorial inputs properly, in a nonlinear way. Vestibular system, as an afferent organ, encodes head position in relation to gravity and changes in its linear and angular acceleration. As vestibular central system, it plays an essential role in motor control and in orientation and spatial memory as well. When a peripheral vestibular lesion occurs, elaboration, interpretation and processing of inputs are deficient and therefore motor control is altered to a greater or lesser degree. As process progress in time, there is a natural neuroplasticity that facilitates recovery or compensate vestibular function, although sometimes this process is incomplete and requires vestibular reeducation This study aims to assess changes in balance control, orientation and handicap perception in one case group with symptomatic unilateral peripheral vestibular dysfunction, before and after a rehabilitation programme (RV). To compare values obtained at the beginning and at the end of RV to those achieved by control group. Finally, this research aims to analyse evolution of spatial orientation quality in symptomatic and non symptomatic participants.