Age-related effects on online and offline learning in visuo-spatial working memory

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Human Aging Research

Background:

• Learning involves both within-session (online) and between-session (offline) consolidation.
• Aging may differentially impact these learning processes, leading to varied cognitive performance in older adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the distinct roles of online and offline consolidation in visuo-spatial working memory (vWM) across the lifespan.
• To determine if continuous practice influences offline consolidation in younger and older adults.

Main Methods:

• Two groups of younger and older adults completed a vWM task on two occasions separated by nine days.
• Additional groups practiced the vWM task between assessments to evaluate the necessity of practice for offline consolidation.

Main Results:

• Older adults showed online learning improvements but not offline learning, unlike younger adults who demonstrated offline improvement.
• Practice between sessions was essential for older adults to achieve between-session vWM gains.
• Younger adults exhibited offline vWM improvement irrespective of intervening practice.

Conclusions:

• Online learning mechanisms in visuo-spatial working memory remain largely intact in aging.
• Offline consolidation processes are impaired in older adults and require continuous practice to be effective.
• Intervention strategies targeting older adults' cognitive enhancement should consider supporting offline learning through consistent engagement.