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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
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Individual Differences in Older Adult Frontal Lobe Function Relate to Memory and Neural Activity for Self-Relevant
Ryan T Daley1,2, Holly J Bowen3, Eric C Fields2,4
1Department of Psychology, Gordon College, Wenham, Massachusetts, USA.
Summary
Frontal lobe function in older adults impacts memory for self-relevant information, but not emotional content. Higher frontal lobe function is linked to reduced self-bias in memory, suggesting self-relevance aids memory, particularly for those with lower frontal lobe function.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Neuroimaging
- Aging Research
Background:
- Older adults often exhibit enhanced memory for self-relevant and emotional information.
- Individual differences exist in these memory benefits, prompting investigation into underlying neural mechanisms.
- The relationship between frontal lobe function and the processing of self-relevant versus emotional information in aging remains debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether frontal lobe (FL) function in older adults relates similarly to the processing of self-relevant information as it does to emotional information.
- To determine if these relationships diverge based on cognitive function.
- To explore the role of FL function in memory for self-relevant and emotional content.
Main Methods:
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to scan participants aged 60-88.
- Participants viewed objects (positive, negative, neutral) and imagined placing them in their home or a stranger's home.
- Cognitive batteries assessed FL and medial temporal lobe function, correlated with memory performance and neural activity.
Main Results:
- Frontal lobe function was behaviorally linked to memory for self-relevant content, but not emotional content.
- Higher FL function correlated with a reduced self-bias in memory performance.
- Increased activity in the middle frontal gyrus during self-relevant processing was associated with higher FL function.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive functions supporting memory enhancement for self-relevance and emotional relevance diverge in older adults.
- Self-relevance acts as a mnemonic device, especially beneficial for older adults with lower frontal lobe function.
- Findings highlight the distinct neural underpinnings of memory for self-related versus emotionally charged information in aging.
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