Spatial sequence memory and spatial error monitoring in the Groton Maze Learning Task (GMLT): A validation study of GMLT sub-measures in healthy children

Abstract

The stepping-stone variant of the hidden pathway maze learning (HPML) task paradigm has been extensively used to investigate cognitive functions in neuropsychology and neuropharmacology. Previous studies have used total error across trials, as well as rule-break errors and learning errors, to define spatial memory and/or executive function in healthy and impaired adults and children. However, the construct validity of performance measures on HPML tasks has not been established in healthy children. To assess the construct validity of measures of exploratory and rule-break errors on the Groton Maze Learning Task (GMLT) measures of spatial sequence memory (Corsi Blocks Task) and spatial error monitoring (Continuous Paired Associate Learning; CPAL) were used. The results indicate that Corsi span predicted GMLT spatial sequence memory and CPAL accuracy predicted GMLT spatial error monitoring. The construct validity of the GMLT as a measure of spatial memory and executive function are discussed with regard to prior research using HPML tasks in neuropsychological contexts.

KEYWORDS:

• Rule use
• Error monitoring
• Spatial memory
• Hidden pathway maze learning
• Validation

We would like to acknowledge the assistance that Taylor and Francis Team has exerted for us to publish this paper.

Paul Maruff is employed by Cogstate Ltd, the company that distributes the GMLT and the CPAL task, two of the tests used in the current study. However, Cogstate was not involved in the design, data collection or analysis of the research reported herein.

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).