ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Specific features of memory consolidation and reconsolidation in older individuals with vision and hearing impairments
1 Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
2 Belgorod State National Research University, Belgorod, Russia
3 Kursk State Medical University, Kursk, Russia
Correspondence should be addressed: Ekaterina A. Petrash
Ostrovityanova, 1, Moscow, 117997, Russia; ur.liam@hsartep
Author contribution: Zakharova IA, Shuteeva TV — empirical research and collection of primary data; Petrash EA — quantitative and qualitative data processing, interpretation and generalization of the results; Nikishina VB, Razuvaeva TN — research concept development, interpretation and generalization of the results.
Compliance with ethical standards: the study was approved by Ethical Review Board at the Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University (Protocol № 207 of April 19, 2021). All participants provided written informed consent for the study.
Sensory impairments (visual and auditory) reduce quantity and quality of the information input. The associated memory loss can be classified as intrinsic decline in memory functionalities or mere physiological effect of sensory deprivation. This study aimed to specify this issue by analyzing memory consolidation and reconsolidation processes in older people with sensory deficits. The study enrolled 65–75 year-old individuals (n = 61) distributed into four groups: patients with unilateral sensorineural hearing loss (n = 17); patients with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (n = 14); patients with visual impairment (n = 19); and patients with combined sensory deficits (n = 11). The methods included Luria’s auditory-verbal (“10 words”) and visual memory tests and Bartlett’s experimental procedure. A decrease in memory volume for auditory-verbal and visual-figurative short-term memories was observed in all groups. The results reveal significant adverse dynamics of qualitative and quantitative indicators for memory consolidation and reconsolidation processes, associated with decreased volume of short-term memories, both auditory-verbal and visual-figurative. Based on these findings, we conclude that consolidation and reconsolidation efficiency depends on proper accommodation of the newly incoming information to already memorized modules (previous experience) and requires dosing of the newly incoming information in order to preserve its integrity at the stage of consolidation.
Keywords: semantic memory, visual-figurative memory, memory consolidation, memory reconsolidation, sensory impairments, old age