Strolling Into the Unknown: Spatial Exploratory Behaviour in MCI and Dementia and the Effect of Physical Exercise

Background: Spatial exploratory behaviour is a central aspect of cognitive functioning. Despite deterioration in similar functions like navigation, and in brain areas important in spatial exploration such as the hippocampus in MCI and dementia, spatial exploratory behaviour has not been investigated in the context of these syndromes. Moreover, physical exercise is linked to cognitive improvements in MCI and dementia, and neural associations with spatial exploratory behaviour also exist. Nevertheless, studies investigating how physical exercise affects spatial exploratory behaviour in MCI and dementia are lacking. Objectives: The study’s aims were to investigate (1) potential differences in spatial exploratory behaviour between people with MCI, dementia and controls and (2) the effect of physical exercise on spatial exploratory behaviour in these groups. Methods: Control, MCI and dementia participants (n = 69) completed an online exploration task in which they explored a virtual...Show moreBackground: Spatial exploratory behaviour is a central aspect of cognitive functioning. Despite deterioration in similar functions like navigation, and in brain areas important in spatial exploration such as the hippocampus in MCI and dementia, spatial exploratory behaviour has not been investigated in the context of these syndromes. Moreover, physical exercise is linked to cognitive improvements in MCI and dementia, and neural associations with spatial exploratory behaviour also exist. Nevertheless, studies investigating how physical exercise affects spatial exploratory behaviour in MCI and dementia are lacking. Objectives: The study’s aims were to investigate (1) potential differences in spatial exploratory behaviour between people with MCI, dementia and controls and (2) the effect of physical exercise on spatial exploratory behaviour in these groups. Methods: Control, MCI and dementia participants (n = 69) completed an online exploration task in which they explored a virtual fantasy island. Using a new, fine-grained approach, two spatial exploration compound scores (exploratory activity, exploratory efficiency) were calculated. A repeated-measures ANCOVA and Bayesian statistics were conducted to investigate differences in spatial exploration and the effect of physical exercise. Results: No group differences on spatial exploratory behaviour (p = .962, η^2 = .001, BF10 = 0.317, moderate evidence for H0) or between spatial exploration compound scores (p = .357, η^2 = .032, BF10 = 0.406, anecdotal evidence for H0) were found. Physical exercise did not significantly predict exploratory behaviour across groups (p = .840, η^2 = .001, BF10 = 0.211, moderate evidence for H0) or between groups (p = .701, η^2 = .011). A post hoc exploratory analysis revealed a main effect of sex (p = .016, η^2 = .091), with males having higher exploratory behaviour than females. Conclusion: Spatial exploratory behaviour deficits may not be prominent in MCI and dementia, and physical exercise may not affect these deficits in control, MCI and dementia participants. However, the type of exploration score being considered and the effect of sex warrant further research. Implications relate to suggesting factors that might be relevant to designing interventions aimed at reducing cognitive deficits in MCI/dementia patients and to the usefulness of the methodological design.Show less

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Strolling Into the Unknown: Spatial Exploratory Behaviour in MCI and Dementia and the Effect of Physical Exercise