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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 27, 2026

A Cognitive Paradigm to Investigate Interference in Working Memory by Distractions and Interruptions

A Cognitive Paradigm to Investigate Interference in Working Memory by Distractions and Interruptions

Published on: July 16, 2015

Age-related effects in working memory recognition modulated by retroactive interference.

Elena Solesio-Jofre¹, Laura Lorenzo-López, Ricardo Gutiérrez

¹Laboratory for Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience, Centre for Biomedical Technology, Madrid University of Technology/Complutense University of Madrid, Campus de Montegancedo, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid 28660, Spain. esolesio@psi.ucm.es

The Journals of Gerontology. Series A, Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences

|November 15, 2011

Summary

Older adults show increased memory errors due to interference, linked to reduced brain activity in specific regions. This suggests age-related memory decline may stem from weaker inhibitory control during complex tasks.

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Last Updated: May 27, 2026

A Cognitive Paradigm to Investigate Interference in Working Memory by Distractions and Interruptions

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Published on: July 16, 2015

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Assessment of Age-related Changes in Cognitive Functions Using EmoCogMeter, a Novel Tablet-computer Based Approach

Published on: February 14, 2014

Area of Science:

Cognitive Neuroscience
Neuroimaging

Background:

Age-related working memory decline is linked to heightened susceptibility to retroactive interference.
Reduced ability to suppress irrelevant information contributes to these memory deficits.
Neural mechanisms underlying age-related interference vulnerability require further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate age-related differences in neural patterns during an interference-based working memory task.
To identify the brain regions and temporal dynamics associated with retroactive interference in young versus older adults.

Main Methods:

Magnetoencephalography (MEG) was employed to record brain activity.
Young and older adults performed a memory task involving two interference conditions: interrupting and distracting.
Behavioral accuracy and neural activation patterns during successful recognition were analyzed.

Main Results:

Both interrupting and distracting interference significantly reduced recognition accuracy more in older adults compared to young adults.
Young adults showed greater disruption from interrupters.
MEG data revealed reduced time-modulated activations in temporo-occipital and superior parietal regions in older adults during the interrupting condition.

Conclusions:

Age-related working memory impairments are associated with increased vulnerability to retroactive interference.
Neural under-recruitment in specific brain regions during high-interference tasks may underlie these age-related deficits in inhibitory control.