ABSTRACT

The use of multi-modal approaches, particularly in conjunction with multivariate analytic techniques, can enrich models of cognition, brain function, and how they change with age. Recently, multivariate approaches have been applied to the study of eye movements in a manner akin to that of neural activity (i.e., pattern similarity). Here, we review the literature regarding multi-modal and/or multivariate approaches, with specific reference to the use of eyetracking to characterize age-related changes in memory. By applying multi-modal and multivariate approaches to the study of aging, research has shown that aging is characterized by moment-to-moment alterations in the amount and pattern of visual exploration, and by extension, alterations in the activity and function of the hippocampus and broader medial temporal lobe (MTL). These methodological advances suggest that age-related declines in the integrity of the memory system has consequences for oculomotor behavior in the moment, in a reciprocal fashion. Age-related changes in hippocampal and MTL structure and function may lead to an increase in, and change in the patterns of, visual exploration in an effort to upregulate the encoding of information. However, such visual exploration patterns may be non-optimal and actually reduce the amount and/or type of incoming information that is bound into a lasting memory representation. This research indicates that age-related cognitive impairments are considerably broader in scope than previously realized.

摘要

多模态方法的使用，特别是与多变量分析技术相结合，可以丰富认知、大脑功能以及它们如何随年龄变化的模型。最近，多变量方法已被应用于研究眼球运动，其方式类似于神经活动（即模式相似性）。）。在这里，我们回顾了有关多模式和/或多变量方法的文献，特别提到了使用眼动追踪来表征与年龄相关的记忆变化。通过将多模态和多变量方法应用于衰老研究，研究表明，衰老的特征是视觉探索的数量和模式的瞬间变化，以及海马体活动和功能的变化和更广泛的内侧颞叶（MTL）。这些方法学上的进步表明，与年龄相关的记忆系统完整性下降会以互惠的方式对当下的动眼神经行为产生影响。海马和 MTL 结构和功能中与年龄相关的变化可能导致以下模式的增加和变化：视觉探索以努力上调信息的编码。然而，这样的视觉探索模式可能不是最佳的，并且实际上减少了绑定到持久记忆表示中的传入信息的数量和/或类型。这项研究表明，与年龄相关的认知障碍的范围比以前意识到的要广泛得多。