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Neural markers of category-based selective working memory in aging
Robert M Mok1, M Clare O'Donoghue2, Nicholas E Myers3
1Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, UK; Oxford Centre for Human Brain Activity, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, UK; Department of Experimental Psychology, University College London, 26 Bedford Way, London, WC1H 0AP, UK.
Neuroimage
|March 26, 2019
Summary
Older adults can effectively use selective attention during working memory (WM) tasks, showing preserved cognitive abilities. Brain imaging reveals neural networks supporting this attention, linking control to memory performance.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Neuroimaging
- Aging Research
Background:
- Working memory (WM) is crucial for cognition but declines with age.
- Selective attention's role in aging WM is not fully understood.
- Investigating neural mechanisms of attention in aging WM is important.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine neural mechanisms of selective attention in aging during WM.
- To assess older adults' ability to use attention for encoding and suppressing information in WM.
- To correlate brain activity with behavioral performance and memory outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in older adults performing a category-based selective WM task.
- A surprise recognition memory test to assess the impact of selective attention.
- Analysis of neural activation in category-sensitive visual cortex and control regions.
Main Results:
- Older adults successfully used selective attention to encode targets and suppress distractors.
- Attended items were recognized better than ignored items, confirming attention's impact.
- Brain activity in visual cortex modulated with attentional demands and correlated with WM span.
Conclusions:
- Older adults recruit top-down attention networks for selective WM.
- Neural modulation in attention-related brain regions is linked to individual differences in attentional control.
- Findings highlight preserved attentional mechanisms in aging WM.
Keywords:
Category-based attentionFunctional magnetic resonance imagingHealthy agingPrefrontal cortexWorking memoryMore Related Videos
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