ERIC Number: EJ1210733
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019-Apr
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1072-0502
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Caudate Nucleus-Dependent Navigation Strategies Are Associated with Increased Risk-Taking and Set-Shifting Behavior
Aumont, Étienne; Blanchette, Caroll-Ann; Bohbot, Veronique D.; West, Greg L.
Learning & Memory, v26 n4 p101-108 Apr 2019
When people navigate, they use strategies dependent on one of two memory systems. The hippocampus-based spatial strategy consists of using multiple landmarks to create a cognitive map of the environment. In contrast, the caudate nucleus-based response strategy is based on the memorization of a series of turns. Importantly, response learners display more gray matter and functional activity in the caudate nucleus and less gray matter in the hippocampus. In parallel, the caudate nucleus is involved in decision-making by mediating attention toward rewards and in set-shifting by mediating preparatory actions. The present study, therefore, examined the link between navigational strategy use, that are associated with gray matter differences in the caudate nucleus and hippocampus, and decision-making and set-shifting performance. Fifty-three participants completed the 4 on 8 virtual maze, the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test-64 (WCST-64), and a task-switching test. The results revealed that people who use response strategies displayed increased risk-taking behavior in the IGT compared to the people using hippocampus-dependent spatial strategies. Response strategy was also associated with enhanced set-shifting performance in the WCST-64 and task-switching test. These results confirm that risk-taking and set-shifting behavior, that are differentially impacted by the caudate nucleus and hippocampus memory systems, can be predicted by navigational strategy.
Descriptors: Memory, Brain Hemisphere Functions, Memorization, Navigation, Decision Making, Risk, Cognitive Ability, Cognitive Tests, Abstract Reasoning, Executive Function, Spatial Ability, Responses, College Students, Foreign Countries
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press. 500 Sunnyside Boulevard, Woodbury, NY 11797-2924. Tel: 800-843-4388; Tel: 516-367-8800; Fax: 516-422-4097; e-mail: cshpres@cshl.edu; Web site: http://learnmem.cshlp.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada (Montreal)
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Wisconsin Card Sorting Test
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A