Aging effects on spatial switching ability from allocentric to egocentric

Background: In aging, a decline of egocentric (subject-to-object) and mainly allocentric (object-to-object) spatial representation is fre- quently reported. However, spatial environments in which we move are complex and processes of switching between both reference frames are necessary. Aims: Investigating the effect of aging on the ability to switch and non-switch between reference frames. Methods: The visuospatial memory performance of healthy young (N = 25) and elderly (N = 25) participants was compared on the Ego-Allo Switching task. Participants provided switching (from egocentric-to- allocentric: Ego-Allo; from allocentric-to-egocentric: Allo-Ego) and non-switching (only egocentric: Ego-Ego; only allocentric: Allo-Allo) spatial judgments about triads of 3D geometrical objects. The triads were presented on plasterboard panels (6 sec.), removed and after a delay (5 sec.) the testing phase started in which two questions regarding the same (non-switching condition) or different (switching conditions) reference frames were given. Response time and accuracy were recorded. Results: A negative impact of aging on switching abilities emerged: elderly performed worse than younger participants in Allo-Ego switching judgments. Such negative effect of aging appeared attenuated when the first reference frame was egocentric (Ego-Allo). In the non-switching conditions, elderly participants performed worse than young adults in processing Allo-Allo judg- ments. Conclusion: These findings suggest that, alongside allocentric impairments, aging also compromises the ability to flexible switch from allocentric to egocentric representations. Such detrimental effects of aging may be relate to the dysregulation in the locus coeruleus-noradrenaline system of prefrontal cortex and to the con- current deterioration of hippocampal and posteromedial areas.