Age but not resting-state EEG explains learning and memory performance in a spatial navigation task Article Swipe

PDF

Conor Thornberry , Robert Fox , Adrianna Wozniak , Seán Commins ·

YOU? · · 2025 · Open Access · · DOI: https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/hzgmc_v1

Healthy aging is associated with a decline in spatial cognition, with older adults learning spatial environments more slowly and with less precision compared to younger adults. This study investigated whether resting-state EEG measures could be used to predict differences in age and spatial learning/memory performance in a virtual water maze task among younger and older adults. We recorded eyes-open resting-state EEG from 22 older adults (aged 60-76) and 31 younger adults (aged 18-40) before they completed the NavWell virtual water maze task. Our analysis focused on five EEG frequency bands (delta, theta, alpha, beta, gamma) and their relationship with age and behavioural measures: spatial learning (wayfinding ability & escape latency) and spatial memory (percentage of time spent searching in the goal quadrant). Principal component analysis was used to reduce the EEG variables to absolute and relative power EEG component scores and were examined as predictors. Results revealed that age was a significant, strong predictor of all performance-related outcomes. Though resting-state EEG was not a significant predictor of navigation ability, older adults showed significant differences from younger adults on three of the four EEG component loadings. Specifically, older adults demonstrated reduced low-frequency (delta) and greater high-frequency (beta/gamma) power compared to younger adults. These findings suggest that while resting-state EEG dynamics differ by age, they do not explain age-related differences in spatial navigation performance.

Related Topics

Electroencephalography

Resting State Fmri

Computer Science

Spatial Memory

Artificial Intelligence

Concepts

Task (project management) Electroencephalography Cognitive psychology State (computer science) Resting state fMRI Computer science Spatial memory Psychology Spatial learning Artificial intelligence Working memory Neuroscience Cognition Engineering Algorithm Systems engineering

Metadata

Type: preprint
Language: en
Landing Page: https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/hzgmc_v1
PDF: https://osf.io/hzgmc_v1/download
OA Status: gold
Related Works: 10
OpenAlex ID: https://openalex.org/W4411556242

All OpenAlex metadata

Raw OpenAlex JSON

OpenAlex ID: https://openalex.org/W4411556242

Canonical identifier for this work in OpenAlex
DOI: https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/hzgmc_v1

Digital Object Identifier
Title: Age but not resting-state EEG explains learning and memory performance in a spatial navigation task

Work title
Type: preprint

OpenAlex work type
Language: en

Primary language
Publication year: 2025

Year of publication
Publication date: 2025-06-23

Full publication date if available
Authors: Conor Thornberry, Robert Fox, Adrianna Wozniak, Seán Commins

List of authors in order
Landing page: https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/hzgmc_v1

Publisher landing page
PDF URL: https://osf.io/hzgmc_v1/download

Direct link to full text PDF
Open access: Yes

Whether a free full text is available
OA status: gold

Open access status per OpenAlex
OA URL: https://osf.io/hzgmc_v1/download

Direct OA link when available
Concepts: Task (project management), Electroencephalography, Cognitive psychology, State (computer science), Resting state fMRI, Computer science, Spatial memory, Psychology, Spatial learning, Artificial intelligence, Working memory, Neuroscience, Cognition, Engineering, Algorithm, Systems engineering

Top concepts (fields/topics) attached by OpenAlex
Cited by: 0

Total citation count in OpenAlex
Related works (count): 10

Other works algorithmically related by OpenAlex

Full payload

id	https://openalex.org/W4411556242
doi	https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/hzgmc_v1
ids.doi	https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/hzgmc_v1
ids.openalex	https://openalex.org/W4411556242
fwci	0.0
type	preprint
title	Age but not resting-state EEG explains learning and memory performance in a spatial navigation task
biblio.issue
biblio.volume
biblio.last_page
biblio.first_page
topics[0].id	https://openalex.org/T12805
topics[0].field.id	https://openalex.org/fields/17
topics[0].field.display_name	Computer Science
topics[0].score	0.8086000084877014
topics[0].domain.id	https://openalex.org/domains/3
topics[0].domain.display_name	Physical Sciences
topics[0].subfield.id	https://openalex.org/subfields/1702
topics[0].subfield.display_name	Artificial Intelligence
topics[0].display_name	Cognitive Science and Mapping
topics[1].id	https://openalex.org/T11904
topics[1].field.id	https://openalex.org/fields/22
topics[1].field.display_name	Engineering
topics[1].score	0.7160999774932861
topics[1].domain.id	https://openalex.org/domains/3
topics[1].domain.display_name	Physical Sciences
topics[1].subfield.id	https://openalex.org/subfields/2203
topics[1].subfield.display_name	Automotive Engineering
topics[1].display_name	Spatial Cognition and Navigation
is_xpac	False
apc_list
apc_paid
concepts[0].id	https://openalex.org/C2780451532
concepts[0].level	2
concepts[0].score	0.6892988681793213
concepts[0].wikidata	https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q759676
concepts[0].display_name	Task (project management)
concepts[1].id	https://openalex.org/C522805319
concepts[1].level	2
concepts[1].score	0.6658348441123962
concepts[1].wikidata	https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q179965
concepts[1].display_name	Electroencephalography
concepts[2].id	https://openalex.org/C180747234
concepts[2].level	1
concepts[2].score	0.5347427725791931
concepts[2].wikidata	https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q23373
concepts[2].display_name	Cognitive psychology
concepts[3].id	https://openalex.org/C48103436
concepts[3].level	2
concepts[3].score	0.5135629177093506
concepts[3].wikidata	https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q599031
concepts[3].display_name	State (computer science)
concepts[4].id	https://openalex.org/C66324658
concepts[4].level	2
concepts[4].score	0.49613675475120544
concepts[4].wikidata	https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7316120
concepts[4].display_name	Resting state fMRI
concepts[5].id	https://openalex.org/C41008148
concepts[5].level	0
concepts[5].score	0.46939224004745483
concepts[5].wikidata	https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21198
concepts[5].display_name	Computer science
concepts[6].id	https://openalex.org/C43729271
concepts[6].level	4
concepts[6].score	0.4435359239578247
concepts[6].wikidata	https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3560550
concepts[6].display_name	Spatial memory
concepts[7].id	https://openalex.org/C15744967
concepts[7].level	0
concepts[7].score	0.42961257696151733
concepts[7].wikidata	https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q9418
concepts[7].display_name	Psychology
concepts[8].id	https://openalex.org/C2985665543
concepts[8].level	3
concepts[8].score	0.41302067041397095
concepts[8].wikidata	https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3560550
concepts[8].display_name	Spatial learning
concepts[9].id	https://openalex.org/C154945302
concepts[9].level	1
concepts[9].score	0.3605308532714844
concepts[9].wikidata	https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11660
concepts[9].display_name	Artificial intelligence
concepts[10].id	https://openalex.org/C21963081
concepts[10].level	3
concepts[10].score	0.3015090823173523
concepts[10].wikidata	https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11337567
concepts[10].display_name	Working memory
concepts[11].id	https://openalex.org/C169760540
concepts[11].level	1
concepts[11].score	0.2932779788970947
concepts[11].wikidata	https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q207011
concepts[11].display_name	Neuroscience
concepts[12].id	https://openalex.org/C169900460
concepts[12].level	2
concepts[12].score	0.13234755396842957
concepts[12].wikidata	https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2200417
concepts[12].display_name	Cognition
concepts[13].id	https://openalex.org/C127413603
concepts[13].level	0
concepts[13].score	0.08066579699516296
concepts[13].wikidata	https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11023
concepts[13].display_name	Engineering
concepts[14].id	https://openalex.org/C11413529
concepts[14].level	1
concepts[14].score	0.0
concepts[14].wikidata	https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q8366
concepts[14].display_name	Algorithm
concepts[15].id	https://openalex.org/C201995342
concepts[15].level	1
concepts[15].score	0.0
concepts[15].wikidata	https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q682496
concepts[15].display_name	Systems engineering
keywords[0].id	https://openalex.org/keywords/task
keywords[0].score	0.6892988681793213
keywords[0].display_name	Task (project management)
keywords[1].id	https://openalex.org/keywords/electroencephalography
keywords[1].score	0.6658348441123962
keywords[1].display_name	Electroencephalography
keywords[2].id	https://openalex.org/keywords/cognitive-psychology
keywords[2].score	0.5347427725791931
keywords[2].display_name	Cognitive psychology
keywords[3].id	https://openalex.org/keywords/state
keywords[3].score	0.5135629177093506
keywords[3].display_name	State (computer science)
keywords[4].id	https://openalex.org/keywords/resting-state-fmri
keywords[4].score	0.49613675475120544
keywords[4].display_name	Resting state fMRI
keywords[5].id	https://openalex.org/keywords/computer-science
keywords[5].score	0.46939224004745483
keywords[5].display_name	Computer science
keywords[6].id	https://openalex.org/keywords/spatial-memory
keywords[6].score	0.4435359239578247
keywords[6].display_name	Spatial memory
keywords[7].id	https://openalex.org/keywords/psychology
keywords[7].score	0.42961257696151733
keywords[7].display_name	Psychology
keywords[8].id	https://openalex.org/keywords/spatial-learning
keywords[8].score	0.41302067041397095
keywords[8].display_name	Spatial learning
keywords[9].id	https://openalex.org/keywords/artificial-intelligence
keywords[9].score	0.3605308532714844
keywords[9].display_name	Artificial intelligence
keywords[10].id	https://openalex.org/keywords/working-memory
keywords[10].score	0.3015090823173523
keywords[10].display_name	Working memory
keywords[11].id	https://openalex.org/keywords/neuroscience
keywords[11].score	0.2932779788970947
keywords[11].display_name	Neuroscience
keywords[12].id	https://openalex.org/keywords/cognition
keywords[12].score	0.13234755396842957
keywords[12].display_name	Cognition
keywords[13].id	https://openalex.org/keywords/engineering
keywords[13].score	0.08066579699516296
keywords[13].display_name	Engineering
language	en
locations[0].id	doi:10.31234/osf.io/hzgmc_v1
locations[0].is_oa	True
locations[0].source
locations[0].license	cc-by
locations[0].pdf_url	https://osf.io/hzgmc_v1/download
locations[0].version	acceptedVersion
locations[0].raw_type	posted-content
locations[0].license_id	https://openalex.org/licenses/cc-by
locations[0].is_accepted	True
locations[0].is_published	False
locations[0].raw_source_name
locations[0].landing_page_url	https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/hzgmc_v1
indexed_in	crossref
authorships[0].author.id	https://openalex.org/A5035205791
authorships[0].author.orcid	https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5281-0641
authorships[0].author.display_name	Conor Thornberry
authorships[0].author_position	first
authorships[0].raw_author_name	Conor Thornberry
authorships[0].is_corresponding	False
authorships[1].author.id	https://openalex.org/A5110867791
authorships[1].author.orcid
authorships[1].author.display_name	Robert Fox
authorships[1].author_position	middle
authorships[1].raw_author_name	Robert Fox
authorships[1].is_corresponding	False
authorships[2].author.id	https://openalex.org/A5010602197
authorships[2].author.orcid
authorships[2].author.display_name	Adrianna Wozniak
authorships[2].author_position	middle
authorships[2].raw_author_name	Adrianna Wozniak
authorships[2].is_corresponding	False
authorships[3].author.id	https://openalex.org/A5003797810
authorships[3].author.orcid	https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1161-1398
authorships[3].author.display_name	Seán Commins
authorships[3].author_position	last
authorships[3].raw_author_name	Sean Commins
authorships[3].is_corresponding	False
has_content.pdf	True
has_content.grobid_xml	True
is_paratext	False
open_access.is_oa	True
open_access.oa_url	https://osf.io/hzgmc_v1/download
open_access.oa_status	gold
open_access.any_repository_has_fulltext	False
created_date	2025-06-24T00:00:00
display_name	Age but not resting-state EEG explains learning and memory performance in a spatial navigation task
has_fulltext	False
is_retracted	False
updated_date	2025-11-06T03:46:38.306776
primary_topic.id	https://openalex.org/T12805
primary_topic.field.id	https://openalex.org/fields/17
primary_topic.field.display_name	Computer Science
primary_topic.score	0.8086000084877014
primary_topic.domain.id	https://openalex.org/domains/3
primary_topic.domain.display_name	Physical Sciences
primary_topic.subfield.id	https://openalex.org/subfields/1702
primary_topic.subfield.display_name	Artificial Intelligence
primary_topic.display_name	Cognitive Science and Mapping
related_works	https://openalex.org/W3048960637, https://openalex.org/W2058943069, https://openalex.org/W4391256093, https://openalex.org/W1994295248, https://openalex.org/W2092908104, https://openalex.org/W2066771945, https://openalex.org/W2018219434, https://openalex.org/W2058563612, https://openalex.org/W1864420117, https://openalex.org/W564590216
cited_by_count	0
locations_count	1
best_oa_location.id	doi:10.31234/osf.io/hzgmc_v1
best_oa_location.is_oa	True
best_oa_location.source
best_oa_location.license	cc-by
best_oa_location.pdf_url	https://osf.io/hzgmc_v1/download
best_oa_location.version	acceptedVersion
best_oa_location.raw_type	posted-content
best_oa_location.license_id	https://openalex.org/licenses/cc-by
best_oa_location.is_accepted	True
best_oa_location.is_published	False
best_oa_location.raw_source_name
best_oa_location.landing_page_url	https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/hzgmc_v1
primary_location.id	doi:10.31234/osf.io/hzgmc_v1
primary_location.is_oa	True
primary_location.source
primary_location.license	cc-by
primary_location.pdf_url	https://osf.io/hzgmc_v1/download
primary_location.version	acceptedVersion
primary_location.raw_type	posted-content
primary_location.license_id	https://openalex.org/licenses/cc-by
primary_location.is_accepted	True
primary_location.is_published	False
primary_location.raw_source_name
primary_location.landing_page_url	https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/hzgmc_v1
publication_date	2025-06-23
publication_year	2025
referenced_works_count	0
abstract_inverted_index.a	5, 46, 150, 163
abstract_inverted_index.22	62
abstract_inverted_index.31	68
abstract_inverted_index.We	56
abstract_inverted_index.as	143
abstract_inverted_index.be	34
abstract_inverted_index.by	210
abstract_inverted_index.do	213
abstract_inverted_index.in	7, 39, 45, 118, 218
abstract_inverted_index.is	2
abstract_inverted_index.of	114, 154, 166, 179
abstract_inverted_index.on	85, 177
abstract_inverted_index.to	23, 36, 127, 132, 198
abstract_inverted_index.EEG	31, 60, 87, 130, 137, 160, 182, 207
abstract_inverted_index.Our	82
abstract_inverted_index.age	40, 99, 148
abstract_inverted_index.all	155
abstract_inverted_index.and	18, 41, 53, 67, 95, 100, 110, 134, 140, 192
abstract_inverted_index.not	162, 214
abstract_inverted_index.the	76, 119, 129, 180
abstract_inverted_index.was	125, 149, 161
abstract_inverted_index.This	26
abstract_inverted_index.age,	211
abstract_inverted_index.five	86
abstract_inverted_index.four	181
abstract_inverted_index.from	61, 174
abstract_inverted_index.goal	120
abstract_inverted_index.less	20
abstract_inverted_index.maze	49, 80
abstract_inverted_index.more	16
abstract_inverted_index.task	50
abstract_inverted_index.that	147, 204
abstract_inverted_index.they	74, 212
abstract_inverted_index.time	115
abstract_inverted_index.used	35, 126
abstract_inverted_index.were	141
abstract_inverted_index.with	4, 10, 19, 98
abstract_inverted_index.(aged	65, 71
abstract_inverted_index.These	201
abstract_inverted_index.aging	1
abstract_inverted_index.among	51
abstract_inverted_index.bands	89
abstract_inverted_index.beta,	93
abstract_inverted_index.could	33
abstract_inverted_index.older	11, 54, 63, 169, 186
abstract_inverted_index.power	136, 196
abstract_inverted_index.spent	116
abstract_inverted_index.study	27
abstract_inverted_index.task.	81
abstract_inverted_index.their	96
abstract_inverted_index.three	178
abstract_inverted_index.water	48, 79
abstract_inverted_index.while	205
abstract_inverted_index.18-40)	72
abstract_inverted_index.60-76)	66
abstract_inverted_index.Though	158
abstract_inverted_index.adults	12, 64, 70, 170, 176, 187
abstract_inverted_index.alpha,	92
abstract_inverted_index.before	73
abstract_inverted_index.differ	209
abstract_inverted_index.escape	108
abstract_inverted_index.gamma)	94
abstract_inverted_index.memory	112
abstract_inverted_index.reduce	128
abstract_inverted_index.scores	139
abstract_inverted_index.showed	171
abstract_inverted_index.slowly	17
abstract_inverted_index.strong	152
abstract_inverted_index.theta,	91
abstract_inverted_index.(delta)	191
abstract_inverted_index.(delta,	90
abstract_inverted_index.Healthy	0
abstract_inverted_index.NavWell	77
abstract_inverted_index.Results	145
abstract_inverted_index.ability	106
abstract_inverted_index.adults.	25, 55, 200
abstract_inverted_index.decline	6
abstract_inverted_index.explain	215
abstract_inverted_index.focused	84
abstract_inverted_index.greater	193
abstract_inverted_index.predict	37
abstract_inverted_index.reduced	189
abstract_inverted_index.spatial	8, 14, 42, 103, 111, 219
abstract_inverted_index.suggest	203
abstract_inverted_index.virtual	47, 78
abstract_inverted_index.whether	29
abstract_inverted_index.younger	24, 52, 69, 175, 199
abstract_inverted_index.ability,	168
abstract_inverted_index.absolute	133
abstract_inverted_index.analysis	83, 124
abstract_inverted_index.compared	22, 197
abstract_inverted_index.dynamics	208
abstract_inverted_index.examined	142
abstract_inverted_index.findings	202
abstract_inverted_index.latency)	109
abstract_inverted_index.learning	13, 104
abstract_inverted_index.measures	32
abstract_inverted_index.recorded	57
abstract_inverted_index.relative	135
abstract_inverted_index.revealed	146
abstract_inverted_index.&amp;	107
abstract_inverted_index.Principal	122
abstract_inverted_index.completed	75
abstract_inverted_index.component	123, 138, 183
abstract_inverted_index.eyes-open	58
abstract_inverted_index.frequency	88
abstract_inverted_index.loadings.	184
abstract_inverted_index.measures:	102
abstract_inverted_index.outcomes.	157
abstract_inverted_index.precision	21
abstract_inverted_index.predictor	153, 165
abstract_inverted_index.searching	117
abstract_inverted_index.variables	131
abstract_inverted_index.associated	3
abstract_inverted_index.cognition,	9
abstract_inverted_index.navigation	167, 220
abstract_inverted_index.quadrant).	121
abstract_inverted_index.(percentage	113
abstract_inverted_index.(wayfinding	105
abstract_inverted_index.age-related	216
abstract_inverted_index.behavioural	101
abstract_inverted_index.differences	38, 173, 217
abstract_inverted_index.performance	44
abstract_inverted_index.predictors.	144
abstract_inverted_index.significant	164, 172
abstract_inverted_index.(beta/gamma)	195
abstract_inverted_index.demonstrated	188
abstract_inverted_index.environments	15
abstract_inverted_index.investigated	28
abstract_inverted_index.performance.	221
abstract_inverted_index.relationship	97
abstract_inverted_index.significant,	151
abstract_inverted_index.Specifically,	185
abstract_inverted_index.low-frequency	190
abstract_inverted_index.resting-state	30, 59, 159, 206
abstract_inverted_index.high-frequency	194
abstract_inverted_index.learning/memory	43
abstract_inverted_index.performance-related	156
cited_by_percentile_year
countries_distinct_count	0
institutions_distinct_count	4
citation_normalized_percentile.value	0.10637283
citation_normalized_percentile.is_in_top_1_percent	False
citation_normalized_percentile.is_in_top_10_percent	True