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Suppression of multisensory integration by modality-specific attention in aging
Christina E Hugenschmidt1, Jennifer L Mozolic, Paul J Laurienti
1Department of Radiology, Wake Forest University, School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA. chugensc@wfubmc.edu
Neuroreport
|February 17, 2009
Summary
Older adults show greater multisensory integration than younger adults. Despite intact attentional processes, older adults cannot fully compensate for increased sensory processing during divided attention.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Human Aging Research
Background:
- Selective attention typically reduces multisensory integration in young adults.
- Older adults exhibit heightened multisensory integration compared to younger adults.
- This study investigates if enhanced multisensory integration in older adults stems from altered top-down suppression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare multisensory integration in older and younger adults under selective attention conditions.
- To determine if older adults maintain the ability to modulate multisensory integration via selective attention.
- To explore the relationship between attentional control and sensory processing in aging.
Main Methods:
- A cued discrimination task was employed to assess performance in both age groups.
- Multisensory integration was measured across different attentional demands.
- Behavioral performance data were analyzed to compare integration levels and attentional effects.
Main Results:
- Older adults demonstrated significantly greater multisensory integration across all experimental conditions.
- Despite enhanced integration, older adults successfully reduced it when selectively attending.
- Attentional processes in older adults appear functional but may be overwhelmed by increased sensory load.
Conclusions:
- Older adults possess intact attentional control mechanisms for modulating multisensory integration.
- The heightened multisensory integration in older adults is not fully compensated by attention during divided attention tasks.
- Increased sensory processing in older adults may limit the effectiveness of top-down attentional control.
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