How memory of places shapes what you see
How Visuospatial Memory Shapes Perception of Real-World Environments
['FUNDING_R01'] · DARTMOUTH COLLEGE · NIH-11304484
This project uses virtual reality, eye-tracking, and brain scans to learn how remembering places helps people perceive and navigate real-world scenes, which is relevant to older adults and people with Alzheimer's.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | DARTMOUTH COLLEGE (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (HANOVER, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11304484 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You would learn to explore immersive, real-world rooms in a VR headset while researchers track your eye movements. They will also take detailed brain images (fMRI) to see which brain areas use memory to guide what you see. By comparing memory for locations with moment-to-moment viewing and navigation, researchers aim to map how stored knowledge influences perception. Study participation typically involves multiple visits for VR training and MRI scanning at the research site.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are older adults, including people with early memory concerns or mild Alzheimer's, who can wear a VR headset, follow instructions, and tolerate MRI scanning.
Not a fit: People with advanced dementia, severe claustrophobia, implanted metal devices that prevent MRI, or severe motion sickness may not be able to participate or benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to detect or support navigation and memory problems in Alzheimer's disease and normal aging.
How similar studies have performed: Prior imaging and behavioral studies have linked memory and perception, but combining head-mounted VR, eye-tracking, and within-subject fMRI for naturalistic scene memory is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
HANOVER, UNITED STATES
- DARTMOUTH COLLEGE — HANOVER, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: ROBERTSON, CAROLINE ELIZABETH — DARTMOUTH COLLEGE
- Study coordinator: ROBERTSON, CAROLINE ELIZABETH
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.
Conditions: Alzheimer disease dementia, Alzheimer syndrome, Alzheimer's Disease