Egocentric and allocentric spatial memory in healthy aging: performance on real-world tasks

Although normal aging has been related to several cognitive difficulties, other processes have been studied less, such as spatial memory. Our aim was to compare egocentric and allocentric memory in an elderly population using ecological tasks. Twenty-eight cognitively unimpaired participants performed Egocentric and Allocentric Spatial Memory Tasks, as well as Spatial Span from CANTAB, Benton's Judge of Line Orientation test (JoLO), and Montreal Cognitive Assessment test (MoCA). The results revealed that younger participants showed better performance than older participants on both the Egocentric and Allocentric Spatial Memory Tasks, although only the Egocentric test was able to discriminate between younger, middle, and older elderly participants. Learning effect was found in Allocentric Spatial Memory Task in younger and older groups, but not in the middle group. Allocentric and egocentric performance was not related to other visuospatial neuropsychological scores and gender did not influence performance in any task. Egocentric and Allocentric Spatial Memory Tasks may be useful tools in early screening for cognitive decline, as they are able to detect age differences in the cognitive unimpaired elderly population.

Ecología del comportamiento humano: las contradicciones tras el mensaje de crisis ambiental / Ecology of human behavior: contradictions behind the message of environmental crisis / Ecologia do comportamento humano: as contradições por trás da mensagem de crise ambiental

Resumen: El artículo aporta a la discusión respecto del entendimiento actual del comportamiento ecológico del ser humano desde una relación de dominación utilitaria del ambiente, en contraste a su comprensión desde la perspectiva ecológica, la cual responde a un modelo natural que es parte de las relaciones de su funcionamiento en el ecosistema. Al respecto, se pone en discusión el paradigma de crisis ambiental, en el cual dicho comportamiento supone un grave problema de la sociedad. Desde los autores, la problemática estaría ligada íntimamente al sistema productivo y económico que promueve la artificialización del ser humano, creando falsas necesidades que, mediante su consumo, aseguran la sostenibilidad del modelo económico. Se plantea la reflexión crítica desde la educación, hacia una nueva comprensión del comportamiento humano cuya perspectiva ecológica impulse nuevas relaciones ecosistémicas, fundamentalmente basadas en relaciones de colaboración.

Abstract: The article contributes to the discussion about the current understanding of the ecological behavior of the human being from a relation of utilitarian domination of the environment in contrast to its understanding from the ecological perspective, which responds to a natural model that is part of the relations of its functioning in the ecosystem. In this regard, the paradigm of environmental crisis is discussed, in which such behavior is a serious problem of society. From the authors, the problem would be closely linked to the productive and economic system that promotes the artificialization of the human being, creating false needs that through their consumption ensure the sustainability of the economic model. Critical reflection is proposed from education, towards a new understanding of human behavior whose ecological perspective drives new ecosystemic relations, fundamentally based on collaborative relationships.

Resumo: O artigo traz à discussão a compreensão atual do comportamento ecológico do ser humano, a partir de uma relação de dominação utilitária do ambiente em contraste com a sua compreensão do ponto de vista ecológico, a qual responde a um modelo natural que faz parte de relações de seu funcionamento no ecossistema. A este respeito, é colocado em discussão o paradigma de crise ambiental, em que tal comportamento supõe um problema grave da sociedade. Para os autores, a questão está intimamente ligada ao sistema produtivo e econômico que promove a artificialização do ser humano, criando falsas necessidades que, por meio de seu consumo, garantam a sustentabilidade do modelo econômico. É realizada uma reflexão crítica a partir da educação, no sentido de uma nova compreensão do comportamento humano, cuja perspectiva ecológica impulsiona novas relações ecossistêmicas baseadas na cooperação.

Diagnostic relevance of spatial orientation for vascular dementia: A case study / Relevância da orientação espacial para o diagnóstico de demência vascular: um estudo de caso

ABSTRACT Spatial orientation is emerging as an early and reliable cognitive biomarker of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathophysiology. However, no evidence exists as to whether spatial orientation is also affected in vascular dementia (VaD). Objective: To examine allocentric (map-based) and egocentric (viewpoint-based) spatial orientation in an early stage VaD case. Methods: A spatial test battery was administered following clinical and neuropsychological cognitive evaluation. Results: Despite the patient's complaints, little evidence of episodic memory deficits were detected when cueing was provided to overcome executive dysfunction. Similarly, medial temporal lobe-mediated allocentric orientation was intact. By contrast, medial parietal-mediated egocentric orientation was impaired, despite normal performance on standard visuospatial tasks. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first in-depth investigation of spatial orientation deficits in VaD. Isolated egocentric deficits were observed. This differs from AD orientation deficits which encompass both allocentric and egocentric orientation deficits. A combination of egocentric orientation and executive function tests could serve as a promising cognitive marker for VaD pathophysiology.

RESUMO A orientação espacial está emergindo como um biomarcador cognitivo precoce e confiável da fisiopatologia da doença de Alzheimer (DA). No entanto, não existe evidência de que a orientação espacial também seja afetada na demência vascular (DVa). Objetivo: Examinar a orientação espacial alocêntrica (baseada em mapas) e egocêntrica (baseada no ponto de vista) em um caso de DVa em fase incial. Métodos: Uma bateria de testes espaciais foi administrada após avaliação clínica e neuropsicológica cognitiva. Resultados: Apesar das queixas do paciente, poucas evidências de déficits de memória episódica foram detectadas quando foram fornecidas pistas para superar a disfunção executiva. Da mesma forma, a orientação alocêntrica mediada pelo lobo temporal medial estava intacta. Em contrapartida, a orientação egocêntrica mediada pela região parietal medial estava comprometida, apesar do desempenho normal em tarefas visuoespaciais padrão. Conclusão: Pelo nosso conhecimento, esta é a primeira investigação aprofundada dos déficits de orientação espacial na DVa. Foram observados déficits egocêntricos isolados. Isso difere dos déficits de orientação da DA que abrangem déficits de orientação alocêntricos e egocêntricos. Uma combinação de orientação egocêntrica e testes de função executiva poderia servir como um marcador cognitivo promissor para a fisiopatologia de DVa.

Characteristics and influencing factors regarding social relations among men who have sex with men / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To study the characteristics of social relations and relative factors among MSM in Guangzhou.Methods Data was collected through a cross-sectional study in Guangzhou from November 2016 to May 2017.Sample size was estimated and participants were recruited from the voluntary counseling and testing services (VCT) which were set for MSM population,by nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Social ties and demographic characteristics of the respondents and their sexual partners were analyzed through both Chi square test and generalized estimating equations (GEE).Results A total of 1 073 MSM,together with their nominated 4 301 partners were successfully recruited and involved in this study.Age (OR=1.2,P=0.01) and non-internet based intercourse (OR=1.65,P＜0.01) were easy to form close relation with strong ties.Compared with MSM traditional venues (chess and cards room,tea room bathhouse,club),general public venue (bars,KTV,parks,shopping malls,schools,restaurants) (OR=1.46-3.12,P＜0.01) showed close relation with strong ties.Our finding showed that MSM at the age of 18-25 preferred to build weak ties with the older MSM,while the 26-30-year-olds and 31-40-year-olds prefer to establish weak ties with younger partners but the 41-50-year-olds preferred to develop weak ties with one that were ten years younger.Conclusions Clusters were noticed in the MSM populations when grouping and making friends with ones at different age.Characteristics regarding the relationship between sexual partners in choosing venues and ways of dating were different.Targeted intervention programs need to be explored innovatively.

Characteristics and influencing factors regarding social relations among men who have sex with men / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To study the characteristics of social relations and relative factors among MSM in Guangzhou.Methods Data was collected through a cross-sectional study in Guangzhou from November 2016 to May 2017.Sample size was estimated and participants were recruited from the voluntary counseling and testing services (VCT) which were set for MSM population,by nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Social ties and demographic characteristics of the respondents and their sexual partners were analyzed through both Chi square test and generalized estimating equations (GEE).Results A total of 1 073 MSM,together with their nominated 4 301 partners were successfully recruited and involved in this study.Age (OR=1.2,P=0.01) and non-internet based intercourse (OR=1.65,P＜0.01) were easy to form close relation with strong ties.Compared with MSM traditional venues (chess and cards room,tea room bathhouse,club),general public venue (bars,KTV,parks,shopping malls,schools,restaurants) (OR=1.46-3.12,P＜0.01) showed close relation with strong ties.Our finding showed that MSM at the age of 18-25 preferred to build weak ties with the older MSM,while the 26-30-year-olds and 31-40-year-olds prefer to establish weak ties with younger partners but the 41-50-year-olds preferred to develop weak ties with one that were ten years younger.Conclusions Clusters were noticed in the MSM populations when grouping and making friends with ones at different age.Characteristics regarding the relationship between sexual partners in choosing venues and ways of dating were different.Targeted intervention programs need to be explored innovatively.

The association between the characteristics of egocentric network and HIV prevalence among men who have sex with men / 中华预防医学杂志

Objective@#This study aimed to analyze the association between the characteristics of egocentric network and HIV prevalence among men who have sex with men (MSM) through social network analysis.@*Methods@#The study was conducted in Guangzhou city from November 2016 to June 2017 using convenient sampling method. Participants were recruited from 13 voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) locations. Data were collected by using nomination generation and nomination interpretation methods. Questionnaire includes two parts, the first part about the social tie, and the second one about social demography and behavioral characteristics of respondents and their nominees. The multivariate logistic regression was applied to quantify the association.@*Results@#8.67%(93/1 073) HIV antibody positive MSM had been detected in 1 073 respondents who nominated 4 301 partners in total. Compared to egocentric sexual network with a size of 1-2, the size of sexual network larger than 3 (OR=1.68, 95%CI: 1.07-2.65) were associated with HIV infection. Compared to egocentric risk sexual network with a size of 1-2, the size of risk sexual networks larger than 3 (OR=1.87, 95%CI: 1.06-3.31) were associated with HIV infection. There were no significant association between marital similarity of respondents and their nominees, the type of the relationship of sexual partners and HIV prevalence (P>0.05).@*Conclusion@#The composition of social network in MSM is related to their susceptibility of HIV infection. MSM population with a large sexual network is more susceptible to HIV infection.

The influence and mechanism of social network on posttraumatic stress disorder / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Social network plays an important role in the prevention and recovery of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).Researches of egocentric network focus on the protective effect of large size and high diversity of social support network on PTSD,while researches about global network focus on social integration. Egocentric network and global network reduce the negative emotional reactions or physiologic and behavioral responses to stress in different ways,the former buffers stress response through social support,the latter em-phasizes the importance of interpersonal emotional contagion and social resource change. Future studies are required to explore the relationship between social structure or the social network changes and PTSD by using longitudinal method,in the meantime intervention studies about improving social network to reduce PTSD are also worth doing.

Neural Correlates of a Perspective-taking Task Using in a Realistic Three-dimmensional Environment Based Task: A Pilot Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

OBJECTIVE: Perspective-taking ability is an essential spatial faculty that is of much interest in both health and neuropsychiatric disorders. There is limited data on the neural correlates of perspective taking in the context of a realistic three-dimensional environment. We report the results of a pilot study exploring the same in eight healthy volunteers. METHODS: Subjects underwent two runs of an experiment in a 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) involving alternate blocks of a first-person perspective based allocentric object location memory task (OLMT), a third-person perspective based egocentric visual perspective taking task (VPRT), and a table task (TT) that served as a control. Difference in blood oxygen level dependant response during task performance was analyzed using Statistical Parametric Mapping software, version 12. Activations were considered significant if they survived family-wise error correction at the cluster level using a height threshold of p<0.001, uncorrected at the voxel level. RESULTS: A significant difference in accuracy and reaction time based on task type was found. Subjects had significantly lower accuracy in VPRT compared to TT. Accuracy in the two active tasks was not significantly different. Subjects took significantly longer in the VPRT in comparison to TT. Reaction time in the two active tasks was not significantly different. Functional MRI revealed significantly higher activation in the bilateral visual cortex and left temporoparietal junction (TPJ) in VPRT compared to OLMT. CONCLUSION: The results underscore the importance of TPJ in egocentric manipulation in healthy controls in the context of reality-based spatial tasks.

Status of Occupational Therapists on Unilateral Neglect Test Tools Usage and Symptom Classification

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the current status of the use of neglect test tools and the awareness for egocentric neglect (EN) and allocentric neglect (AN). METHODS: A survey questionnaire was distributed to occupational therapists attending continuing education at the Daegu-Gyeongbuk branch on April 16. A total 143 responses were collected, and with the exception of 5 incomplete responses, 138 of them were analyzed. RESULTS: The most commonly used unilateral neglect test tools were the line bisection test (86 responses, 62.3%), cancellation test (35 responses, 25.4%), copy and drawing test (7 responses, 5.1%). In a follow-up survey of 86 respondents who used line bisection tests as the most commonly used test, the majority (82 responses, 95.3%2) were found to use the 20-line test paper. In question about the familiarity and education experience for test manual, only 20 responses (23.2%) and 3 responses (3.5%) answered ‘Yes’. In a question about the experience of a manual and the article for the manual, 25 responses (29.1%) answered ‘Yes’. In the question regarding the separation of EN and AN on the unilateral neglect test, 44 responses (31.9%) were ‘distinction’ and 94 responses (68.1%) were ‘no distinction’. CONCLUSION: Information on the guidance and interpretation of the line bisection test is lacking and the concept of EN and AN was insufficient.

Controversias Piaget-Vygotski en psicología del desarrollo / Piaget-Vygotsky controversies in developmental psychology / Controvérsias Piaget-Vygotski em psicologia do desenvolvimento

En este artículo de reflexión se analizan tres controversias originadas a partir de la psicología lógica operatoria de Piaget y de la psicología histórico-cultural de Vygotski, sobre: el lenguaje egocéntrico y el lenguaje para sí en el niño preescolar; el simbolismo y la situación imaginaria en el juego infantil; el desarrollo cognitivo real y el desarrollo cognitivo potencial. Se analizan las controversias a partir de "la unidad de análisis": la lógica de la acción o de la operación, y la equilibración, en Piaget; y la acción mediada por instrumentos materiales, semióticos y humanos, en Vygotski. El trabajo se orienta hacia la posición de Vygotski y presenta investigaciones neo-vygotskianas relacionadas con: 1. El lenguaje egocéntrico como instrumento planificador y regulador de la acción intelectual, en el preescolar. 2. El juego infantil, en el cual el niño aprende a definir su conducta por el sentido de la situación imaginaria creada. 3. El desarrollo cognitivo potencial define el aprendizaje; y el aprendizaje organizado es fuente de desarrollo. Los objetivos del trabajo van orientados a: 1. Analizar las diferencias conceptuales y metodológicas entre la psicología de Piaget y la de Vygotski. 2. Precisar la investigación neo-vygotskiana en psicología del desarrollo.

This review article analyzes three controversies originating from the Piaget's logical operational psychology and Vygotsky's cultural-historical psychology on: the egocentric speech and the self-talk in the pre-school child; the symbolism and imaginary situations during children's play; the real cognitive development and the potential cognitive development. The controversies are analyzed from the "unit of analysis": the logic of the action or the operation, and equilibration, in Piaget; and the action mediated by material semiotic and human instruments, in Vygotski. This paper leans towards Vygotsky's position and presents neo-Vygotskian research related to 1.The egocentric speech as a planning and regulating instrument of intellectual action in the preschooler. 2. Children`s play where the youngsters learn to define their behavior with the created imaginary situation. 3. The potential cognitive development defines learning; and the organized learning is a source of development. The objectives of this research are oriented to: 1. Analyze the conceptual methodological differences between the psychology of Piaget and that of Vygotski. 2. Clearly state the neo-Vygotskian research in developmental psychology.

Neste artigo de reflexão, analisam-se três controvérsias originadas a partir da psicologia lógica operatória de Piaget e da psicologia histórico-cultural de Vygotski sobre: a linguagem egocêntrica e a linguagem para si na criança pré-escolar; o simbolismo e a situação imaginária no jogo infantil; o desenvolvimento cognitivo real e o desenvolvimento cognitivo potencial. Analisam-se as controvérsias a partir da "unidade de análise": a lógica da ação ou da operação, e do equilibração em Piaget; e a ação mediada por instrumentos materiais, semióticos e humanos, em Vygotski. Este trabalho está orientado ao posicionamento de Vygotski e apresenta pesquisas neovygotskianas relacionadas com: 1) a linguagem egocêntrica como instrumento planejador e regulador da ação intelectual na criança pré-escolar; 2) o jogo infantil, em que a criança aprende a definir seu comportamento pelo sentido da situação imaginária criada; 3) o desenvolvimento cognitivo potencial define a aprendizagem; a aprendizagem organizada é fonte de desenvolvimento. Os objetivos deste trabalho vão orientados a: analisar as diferenças conceituais e metodológicas entre a psicologia de Piaget e a de Vygotski; precisar a pesquisa neovygotskiana em psicologia do desenvolvimento.

El lenguaje egocéntrico e implicaciones educacionales en las perspectivas de la Psicología / The egocentric speech and educational implications from the perspectives of psychology

Este estudio busca comprender aspectos del lenguaje egocéntrico según Vygotsky y Piaget, con sus implicaciones educacionales en la perspectiva de sus teorías. Por medio de un estudio bibliográfico, realizado tanto en obras clásicas de dichos autores, como en producciones actuales, es posible verificar la existencia de diferencias importantes entre Piaget y Vygotsky, en lo que se refiere a la naturaleza, a las funciones y a las implicaciones del lenguaje egocéntrico, los cuales se fundamentan en la manera de cómo ambos autores consideran la psicogénesis del pensamiento, del lenguaje y sus relaciones. Entre tanto, la importancia de reconocerse las intenciones y necesidades de expresión del niño, debe ser considerada a partir de ambas las perspectivas, una vez que el lenguaje egocéntrico es considerado por esos autores cómo un fenómeno intrínsecamente unido al desarrollo del niño.

This text seeks to understand aspects of egocentric language by Vygotsky and Piaget and its educational implications in view of his theories. Through a literature survey, conducted in both; classical works of such authors as current productions is possible verify significant differences that are found between Piaget and Vygosky , regarding the nature , functions and implications of egocentric language, which are based on the way as both consider the psychogenesis of thought and language and their relationships. However, the importance of recognizing the intentions and necessity of child expression, should be considered from both perspectives, since the egocentric language is considered by these authors as a phenomenon intricately bounded to the child development.

Independence of egocentric and exocentric direction processing in visual space

One major issue concerning investigations of visual perception is determination of the geometrical properties of visual space. To address this issue, one must determine the relationships between geometrical features of visual space, distance, direction, angle, and size. Consistent evidence indicates that visual angle is a determinant of perceived exocentric distance. Previous evidence suggests that exocentric distance and direction are hierarchically processed, with distance preceding direction. The present study investigated the relationship between the perceptual processing of egocentric direction and exocentric direction using a task that independently provides both perceptual variables in a single judgment. The results indicated that egocentric directions were systematically overestimated, and this was not caused by either the global shape of the layout or leg length effects. Exocentric directions presented a discontinuous pattern of overestimation of smaller angles that were subtended by radial orientations and accuracy of right angles that were subtended by horizontal orientations. This could be explained by the anisotropy of visual space, a well-established phenomenon from visual space studies. The analysis of the association between the processing of these two variables revealed independence between them in which exocentric direction processing did not depend on the processing of egocentric direction processing, and vice versa. The present results and prior evidence converge on the notion of hierarchical processing in which the visual system processes the egocentric distance of objects followed by exocentric distance processing and subsequent processing. The precise positions of egocentric and exocentric directions in this chain of processing remain to be determined.

Spatial Direction Judgements Based on Integrating of Spatial References / 航天医学与医学工程

Objective To investigate how target position and observer's heading affect spatial direction judgement (object locating judgement vs. orienting judgement). Methods Based on visual spatial scene and spatial memory, localization judgement and orientation judgement were used as tasks in four subjects-within experiments respectively. The data of response time were collected as the main dependent variables, and the total, 80 subjects (40 female), participated in the study. Results 1) 0? (front) and 180? (back) advantage effect, north advantage effect (expect for Exp.3), and cardinal direction-R90? position advantage effect were significant; 2) There was no significant difference on response time between Exp.1 and 2, and between Exp.3 and 4; no significant difference on time used for location was found between Exp.3 and 4, but each of them was longer than its corresponding response time for judgement task. Conclusion The effect modes of heading and target position are all consistent between the two types of spatial direction judgements, and the effect modes will not be changed according to differences in information medium and processing.