Differences in dual-task performance and prefrontal cortex activation between younger and older adults.
Hironori Ohsugi1, Shohei Ohgi, Kenta Shigemori
1Graduate School of Health Sciences, Seirei Christopher University, Hamamatsu-City, Shizuoka 433-8558, Japan. hironori.o.10.30@gmail.com
BMC Neuroscience
|January 19, 2013
Summary
Older adults show increased prefrontal cortex (PFC) activity during dual-task challenges, with higher activation linked to poorer executive function. This suggests cognitive load impacts aging brains differently.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Aging
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Prefrontal cortex (PFC) activity patterns during dual-tasking differ between young and older adults.
- Executive and attentional functions are critical for dual-task performance.
- Understanding age-related changes in PFC activation is crucial for cognitive health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate task-related changes in PFC activity during dual-tasking in young and older adults.
- To compare PFC activation patterns between age groups.
- To examine the relationship between PFC activation, executive/attentional function, and age.
Main Methods:
- Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) measured PFC activation (oxyhemoglobin: Oxy-Hb) during single and dual tasks.
- Participants included 20 young and 15 older healthy adults.
- Cognitive function assessed using the Trail-Making Test Part B (TMT-B).
Main Results:
- PFC activation (Oxy-Hb) increased during calculation and dual-tasks in both age groups.
- Older adults exhibited higher Oxy-Hb during the dual-task post-period.
- Significant negative correlations found between dual-task performance accuracy, Oxy-Hb, and TMT-B scores.
Conclusions:
- Older adults display distinct PFC activation patterns under dual-task demands.
- Increased PFC activation during dual-tasking correlates negatively with executive/attentional function in older adults.
- Higher cognitive load from dual-tasking elevates PFC activity in older adults, particularly those with better executive function.
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