How aging and the shape of places affect your internal map
Influences of Environmental Geometry and Aging on Cognitive Mapping Mechanisms
This project tests whether getting older and the layout of spaces change how people—especially those at risk for Alzheimer's—form and use mental maps.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgia Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11321156 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would perform computer-based navigation tasks in virtual environments while researchers record brain activity with MRI to see how your brain represents space. The study compares younger and older adults and people with genetic risk for Alzheimer's (APOE-ε4) to see if grid-like signals in a brain area called the entorhinal cortex weaken with age or risk. The team will change barriers and shapes in the virtual spaces to learn how environment layout fragments or distorts memory for locations. By combining behavior and brain imaging, they aim to link specific brain changes to real-world navigation problems seen in early Alzheimer's.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults able to undergo MRI and complete computer-based navigation tasks, especially older adults, people with memory concerns, or those with an APOE-ε4 risk factor.
Not a fit: People with advanced dementia, those who cannot have MRI (for example due to metal implants), or those unable to use a computer task may not benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help detect navigation-related brain changes earlier and point to new ways to spot or monitor early Alzheimer's risk.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work has shown grid-like brain signals and their weakening with age or APOE-ε4, but using virtual navigation plus fMRI to directly link those signals to everyday wayfinding is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Georgia Institute of Technology — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brown, Thackery Ian — Georgia Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Brown, Thackery Ian
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.