Low-Resolution Neurocognitive Aging and Cognition: An Embodied Perspective

Abstract

Consistent with embodied cognition, a growing evidence in young adults show that sensorimotor processing is at the core of cognition. Considering that this approach predicts direct interaction between sensorimotor processing and cognition, embodied cognition may thus be particularly relevant to study aging, since this population is characterized by concomitant changes in sensorimotor and cognitive processing. The present perspective aims at showing the value and interest to explore normal aging throughout embodiment by focusing on the neurophysiological and cognitive changes occurring in aging. To this end, we report some of the neurophysiological substrates underpinning the perceptual and memory interactions in older adults, from the low and high perceptual processing to the conjunction in the medial temporal lobe. We then explore how these changes could explain more broadly the cognitive changes associated with aging in terms of losses and gains.

Differences related to aging in sensorimotor knowledge: Investigation of perceptual strength and body object interaction

“…In contrast, the BOI ratings were significantly lower in the elderly indicating that the ability to interact with the concepts is considered weaker in the elderly. Some researchers have hypothesized an impact of age-related sensorimotor decline on knowledge (Mille et al, 2021). According to Vallet (2015, p.4), « if knowledge remains embodied in its sensory-motor components, the degradation of these components should directly impact how that knowledge is retrieved and used ».…”

“…A phenomenon of reduced distinctiveness of the memory trace in the elderly would explain the recuperation disorders (Korkki et al, 2020). Indeed, memories would be less distinct and confused and this lower resolution of representations would induce interference in memory (see Mille et al, 2021). If data exist to support an age-related sensorimotor decline on representations, they concern only episodic tasks.…”

“…The sensorimotor decline in aging is in fact at the center of a great debate in the identification of factors that may cause cognitive decline (for the different hypotheses discussed in the literature see Roberts &Allen, 2016 andMonge &Madden, 2016, focusing on visual perceptual decline). Vallet (2015) suggest that if knowledge is embodied in its sensorimotor components, then the degradation of these components should impact on how that knowledge is retrieved (see also Mille et al, 2021). It is to consider that the evaluation of PS and BOI requires the recovery of a sensorimotor experience associated with knowledge.…”

“…This hypothesis is thus contrary to the first one involving the positive impact of experience, but is just as important to consider, or at least to discuss. Indeed, the current studies showing an impact of sensorimotor decline in aging through high and low level neurophysiological sensory changes concern exclusively episodic memory tasks that involve investigations of the visual modality (the other modalities have not yet been explored) (see Mille et al, 2021 who depict neurophysiological and cognitive changes occurring in aging and their interactions with low and high perceptual processing and memory). We therefore remain cautious about applying this hypothesis to our current study because it does not involve a specific experimental task that would allow inference about high-level neurocognitive mechanisms, but requires "basically" a judgment of experience.…”

Sensory Overlap for Specific Memories Only Matters for Poor Memory Traces

“…To generate a visual overlap effect, it would then be necessary to increase the overlap of the traces by an additional extrinsic manipulation (blurred vision) of the visual overlap. A perceptual degradation should be directly associated with more overlap encoding and, therefore, also with greater difficulties during retrieval (Mille et al, 2021;Surprenant et al, 2006), allowing overlap to bring a significant benefit to the task.…”