Off-campus WSU users: To download campus access dissertations, please use the following link to log into our proxy server with your WSU access ID and password, then click the "Off-campus Download" button below.
Non-WSU users: Please talk to your librarian about requesting this thesis through interlibrary loan.
Access Type
WSU Access
Date of Award
January 2012
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.A.
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Naftali Raz
Abstract
Aging is associated with declines in spatial navigation skills. In this study, I used structural equation modeling (SEM) to explore the contributions of variances in regional brain volume (prefrontal cortices, basal ganglia, and medial temporal lobe), processing speed, working memory and episodic memory to age-related differences in spatial navigation. As expected, advanced age was associated with smaller regional brain volumes and reduced cognitive performance. Once cognitive factors were taken into account, the direct effects of age on navigational skill was no longer significant. Thus, age-related difference in spatial navigation skill could be explained by individual differences in the cognitive factors. More specifically, age-related slowing of processing and reduction in episodic memory accounted for the age-related difference in spatial navigational skill. However, the variance in regional volumes did not mediate age-related difference in navigational skill.
Recommended Citation
Yuan, Peng, "Contributions of neuroanatomical and cognitive factors to age-related differences in navigational skill" (2012). Wayne State University Theses. 167.
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/oa_theses/167