S142 Attention parameters and ERP correlates in aging individuals. Issue 9 (September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Finke, Kathrin; Napiorkowski, Natan; Wiegand, Iris; Petersen, Anders; Müller, Hermann J.; Töllner, Thomas
• Is Part Of: Clinical neurophysiology. Volume 128:Issue 9(2017:Sep.)
• Page Start: e224
• Publication Date: 2017-09
• Subjects: Healthy aging -- Cognition -- Neuropsychology -- Lateralized ERP components -- N1pc -- N2pc -- PCN -- Ppc -- Biomarker -- Psychophysics; Neurophysiology -- Periodicals; Electroencephalography -- Periodicals; Electromyography -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; 612.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2017.07.153
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1388-2457

Abstract

Abstract : Healthy aging is known to affect cognitive functions, such as visual attention. Computational modelling of performance in psychophysical whole and partial report tasks based on the theory of visual attention (TVA; Bundesen, 1990) allows quantifying distinct visual attention components in a given individual. We combined TVA-based attention and EEG assessment in three groups of healthy individuals (younger, middle-aged and older) from the Munich INDIREA aging cohort. Using an individual-differences approach, we established specific lateralized event-related potentials (ERPs) as correlates of distinct attentional capacity and selectivity parameters. More specifically, we found (i) that the amplitude of the N1pc was higher in individuals with higher compared to lower visual processing speed and (ii) that the amplitude of the Ppc and the PCN were higher in individuals with more efficient compared to less efficient top-down control. We confirmed that these lateralized ERPs reliably reflect invidual differences in attentional parameters in all measured age groups. Furthermore, we found effects of education level, as indicated by crystallized IQ, on the development of these ERP components across the life span. Our results confirm that lateralized ERP components can serve as neuronal trait markers reflecting attentional capacity and selectivity parameters across diverse age groups.