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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 2026

A Method for Investigating Age-related Differences in the Functional Connectivity of Cognitive Control Networks Associated with Dimensional Change Card Sort Performance

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Published on: May 7, 2014

Age-related quantitative and qualitative changes in decision making ability.

Valeria Isella¹, Cristina Mapelli, Nadia Morielli

¹Neuropsychology Unit, Neurology Section, S. Gerardo Hospital, Department of Neuroscience, University of Milano Bicocca, Monza, Italy. valeria.isella@unimib.it

Behavioural Neurology

|April 17, 2008

Summary

Decision-making ability declines with age, particularly in older adults, showing impairments similar to those seen in frontal lobe dementia. This may be linked to reduced sustained attention during complex tasks.

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cognitive Psychology
Gerontology

Background:

The frontal aging hypothesis suggests age-related decline predominantly affects prefrontal brain regions.
Previous studies on age-related decision-making changes using the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) have yielded conflicting results.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate age-related changes in decision-making ability.
To compare the performance of young adults, older adults, and patients with mild frontal lobe dementia on the IGT.

Main Methods:

Utilized the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) with traditional scoring and qualitative analysis.
Compared 40 young adults (27.9±4.7 years), 40 older adults (65.4±8.6 years), and 18 mild frontal lobe dementia patients (65.1±7.4 years).

Main Results:

Quantitative analysis indicated a decline in decision-making ability with age, mirroring impairments seen in executive dysfunction.
Qualitative analysis showed a trend towards significance for attentional deficits in older adults compared to younger adults.

Conclusions:

Decision-making impairment in normal aging may stem from a decreased ability to maintain sustained attention.
Age-related cognitive decline affects frontal lobe functions, including complex decision-making processes.