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N-Back auditory test performancein normal individuals
Vanessa Tomé Gonçalves1, Letícia Lessa Mansur1
1Speech pathologist, PhD in Neurogeriatrics. Laboratory of Neurolinguistics. Department of Physiotherapy, Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy of the University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo SP, Brazil.
Dementia & Neuropsychologia
|December 8, 2017
Summary
Age does not impact phonological working memory capacity. A 5-back test showed no significant differences in performance between young and older adults in processing auditory stimuli.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Human Aging Research
Background:
- Working memory is crucial for cognitive tasks, involving the temporary maintenance of information.
- The N-back test is a standard assessment for working memory capacity.
- Understanding age-related changes in working memory is vital for cognitive health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To adapt the 5-back test using auditory stimuli for evaluating working memory.
- To investigate the effect of age on working memory performance in healthy Brazilian adults.
- To examine stimulus type effects within age groups.
Main Methods:
- 31 healthy adults (15 young, 16 older) participated.
- Auditory stimuli (di- and tri-syllables) were used in a 5-back task.
- Working memory span, accuracy, and intrusions were measured.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in working memory performance was found between young and older adults.
- Both age groups processed di- and tri-syllable stimuli similarly.
- No age-related effect was observed for any N-back parameters.
Conclusions:
- Age does not affect the capacity to process 5 elements in phonological working memory.
- The 5-back test, with adapted auditory stimuli, is a reliable measure across adult age groups.
- Cognitive aging may not impair phonological working memory span in healthy individuals.
