The following is a summary of “Shape configuration of mental targets representation as a holistic measure in a 3D real-world pointing test for spatial orientation,” published in the November 2023 issue of Neurology by Gerb et al.
Spatial memory deficits often serve as an initial indicator of neurological issues. In this study, researchers examined the geometrical configuration of 2D projections representing pointing behavior toward spatially distributed targets, aiming to evaluate the feasibility of this comprehensive analytical approach. Their investigation considered the influence of gender discrepancies and cognitive impairment. A total of 56 right-handed healthy individuals (28 females, mean age 48.89 ± 19.35 years) and 22 right-handed patients exhibiting diverse cognitive impairments (12 females, mean age 71.73 ± 7.41 years) participated in a previously validated 3D-real-world pointing test (3D-RWPT).
Participants were presented with a 9-dot target array and instructed to point toward each dot with closed eyes, adopting different body positions in relation to the matrix. Morphological analyses were conducted on two-dimensional projections of these pointing vectors (i.e., individual dot shapes). Results from healthy volunteers largely mirrored the actual target pattern, revealing gender-specific distinctions (ANCOVA area males vs. females F(1,73) = 9.00, p 3.69 × 10-3, partial η2 = 0.10, post-hoc difference = 38,350.43, pbonf=3.69 × 10-3**, Cohen’s d 0.76, t 3.00).
Conversely, patients with cognitive impairment displayed distorted rectangular shapes, indicating greater large-scale errors, resulting in reduced average diameters and solidity (ANCOVA diameter normal cognition/cognitive impairment F(1,71) = 9.30, p 3.22 × 10−3, partial η2 = 0.09, post-hoc difference = 31.22, pbonf=3.19 × 10-3**, Cohen’s d 0.92, t 3.05; solidity normal cognition/cognitive impairment F(1,71) = 7.79, p 6.75 × 10-3, partial η2 = 0.08, post-hoc difference = 0.07, pbonf=6.76 × 10-3** Cohen’s d 0.84, t 2.79). Their findings suggest that analyzing the 3D-RWPT target array’s shape configurations is a promising comprehensive measure for evaluating spatial performance in pointing tasks. This methodological exploration supports further clinical studies aimed at differential diagnosis of conditions associated with spatial memory deficiencies.
Source: nature.com/articles/s41598-023-47821-2
