Juan José Ortells-Pareja

Mr. Juan José Ortells-Pareja


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

7Years (2020-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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13 August 2020 in Brain Sciences
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
JEJoaquín Castillo Escamilla
Joaquín Castillo Escamilla
JCJosé Javier Fernández Castro
José Javier Fernández Castro
Shishir BaliyanShishir Baliyan
Shishir Baliyan
JOJuan José Ortells-Pareja
Juan José Ortells-Pareja
JRJuan José Ortells Rodríguez
Juan José Ortells Rodríguez
Jose CimadevillaJose Cimadevilla
Jose Cimadevilla
Traditionally, the medial temporal lobe has been considered a key brain region for spatial memory. Nevertheless, executive functions, such as working memory, also play an important role in complex behaviors, such as spatial navigation. Thus, the main goal of this study is to clarify the relationship between working memory capacity and spatial memory performance. Spatial memory was assessed using a virtual reality-based procedure, the Boxes Room task, and the visual working memory with the computer-based Change Localization Task. One hundred and twenty-three (n = 123) participants took part in this study. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) revealed a statistically significant relationship between working memory capacity and spatial abilities. Thereafter, two subgroups n = 60, were formed according to their performance in the working memory task (1st and 4th quartiles, n = 30 each). Results demonstrate that participants with high working memory capacity committed fewer mistakes in the spatial task compared to the low working memory capacity group. Both groups improved their performance through repeated trials of the spatial task, thus showing that they could learn spatial layouts independent of their working memory capacity. In conclusion, these findings support that spatial memory performance is directly related to working memory skills. This could be relevant for spatial memory assessment in brain lesioned patients.