Visual target processing in high- and low-performing older subjects indexed by P3 component

To explore the possible changes in the parameters of the P3 event-related potential (ERP) component among groups of young and older healthy subjects characterized as either high- or low-performers in a visual attention task.

Both conventional and single-trial analyses of the visual P3 component were performed on each group of subjects.

P3 component significantly increased in latency as a function of age. The high-performing older subjects showed the posterior predominance of P3, as in young subjects. However, the low-performing older subjects showed a significant P3 amplitude reduction at posterior locations and topographically more widespread activity. Furthermore, single-trial analysis showed that low-performing older subjects presented higher intertrial variability in P3 latency, few trials with P3 generation, and a reduced P3 amplitude in these trials in whom P3 was generated.

These data suggest a specific decline in visual target processing in the low-performing older subjects, which would imply a reduction in these attentional brain resources that are allocated to correctly select the relevant stimuli. The implications of this finding for the actual compensation versus dedifferentiation debate in normal aging are discussed.