A Waterloo psychology professor is taking virtual reality (VR) beyond video games and using it to help people suffering from memory problems due to aging and Alzheimer’s disease.
The opportunity for Myra Fernandes to take her research to another level using VR has been made possible through a partnership with Helen Sauzeon, psychology and cognitive sciences professor at the University of Bordeaux’s Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience, as well as funding from a Bordeaux-Waterloo research grant.
“Spatial and navigational memory are the first to go with early Alzheimer’s disease, but with the use of Bordeaux’s lab we can set up virtual routes for people to navigate, and determine whether there are strategies to enhance memory,” says Myra.
In a pilot study, people were asked to trace a route on a map with their finger, also known as active encoding. Myra and Helen then test to see whether the active encoding improves later memory of the route compared to simply viewing it.
“We hope to extend this technique to a more real-world setting using VR in which people simulate walking through a route, rather than simply viewing it. This research may help those with early Alzheimer’s disease find ways to preserve some memories,” says Myra.
The Bordeaux-Waterloo research grant, supported by the Strategic Plan, stems from a relationship that goes back several years. The collaborations have enhanced the professional roles of researchers at Waterloo and Bordeaux, and deepened international relationships. The grant supports research collaborations with funding in two categories. Up to $50,000 is available for research projects in priority fields including materials science, water, energy, and aging. Up to 15,000 Euros is available for projects in all fields for emerging research collaborations. [...]
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