Individual differences in executive functions and retrieval efficacy in older adults.

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 1105-1114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fergus I. M. Craik ◽  
Eldar Eftekhari ◽  
Ellen Bialystok ◽  
Nicole D. Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Executive Functions

scholarly journals Executive function and high ambiguity perceptual discrimination contribute to individual differences in mnemonic discrimination in older adults

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helena Gellersen ◽  
Alexandra N. Trelle ◽  
Richard Henson ◽  
Jon Simons
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Standardized Tests ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Perceptual Discrimination ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Component Processes ◽  
The Impact

Mnemonic discrimination deficits, or impaired ability to discriminate between similar events in memory, is a hallmark of cognitive ageing, characterised by a stark age-related increase in false recognition. While individual differences in mnemonic discrimination have gained attention due to potential relevance for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), our understanding of the component processes that contribute to variability in task performance across older adults remains limited. The present investigation explores the roles of representational quality, indexed by perceptual discrimination of objects and scenes with overlapping features, and strategic retrieval ability, indexed by standardized tests of executive function, to mnemonic discrimination in a large cohort of older adults (N=124). We took an individual differences approach and characterised the contributions of these factors to performance under Forced Choice (FC) and Yes/No (YN) recognition memory formats, which place different demands on strategic retrieval. Performance in both test formats declined with age. Accounting for age, individual differences in FC memory performance were best explained by perceptual discrimination score, whereas YN memory performance was best explained by executive functions. A dominance analysis confirmed the relatively greater importance of perceptual discrimination over executive functioning for FC performance, while the opposite was true for YN. These findings highlight parallels between perceptual and mnemonic discrimination in aging, the importance of considering demands on executive functions in the context of mnemonic discrimination, and the relevance of test format for modulating the impact of these factors on performance in older adults.

scholarly journals Executive function and high ambiguity perceptual discrimination contribute to individual differences in mnemonic discrimination in older adults

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helena Gellersen ◽  
Alexandra N. Trelle ◽  
Richard Henson ◽  
Jon Simons
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Standardized Tests ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Perceptual Discrimination ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Component Processes ◽  
The Impact

Mnemonic discrimination deficits, or impaired ability to discriminate between similar events in memory, is a hallmark of cognitive ageing, characterised by a stark age-related increase in false recognition. While individual differences in mnemonic discrimination have gained attention due to potential relevance for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), our understanding of the component processes that contribute to variability in task performance across older adults remains limited. The present investigation explores the roles of representational quality, indexed by perceptual discrimination of objects and scenes with overlapping features, and strategic retrieval ability, indexed by standardized tests of executive function, to mnemonic discrimination in a large cohort of older adults (N=124). We took an individual differences approach and characterised the contributions of these factors to performance under Forced Choice (FC) and Yes/No (YN) recognition memory formats, which place different demands on strategic retrieval. Performance in both test formats declined with age. Accounting for age, individual differences in FC memory performance were best explained by perceptual discrimination score, whereas YN memory performance was best explained by executive functions. A dominance analysis confirmed the relatively greater importance of perceptual discrimination over executive functioning for FC performance, while the opposite was true for YN. These findings highlight parallels between perceptual and mnemonic discrimination in aging, the importance of considering demands on executive functions in the context of mnemonic discrimination, and the relevance of test format for modulating the impact of these factors on performance in older adults.

Executive Dysfunction Mediates the Association Between Older Age and Online Health Information Search Performance

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Kordovski ◽  
Savanna M. Tierney ◽  
Samina Rahman ◽  
Luis D. Medina ◽  
Michelle A. Babicz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Information Search ◽  
Search Task ◽  
Executive Dysfunction ◽  
Older Age ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Health Related

Objective: Searching the Internet for health-related information is a complex and dynamic goal-oriented process that places demands on executive functions, which are higher-order cognitive abilities that are known to deteriorate with older age. This study aimed to examine the effects of older age on electronic health (eHealth) search behavior, and to determine whether executive functions played a mediating role in that regard. Method: Fifty younger adults (≤ 35 years) and 41 older adults (≥50 years) completed naturalistic eHealth search tasks involving fact-finding (Fact Search) and symptom diagnosis (Symptom Search), a neurocognitive battery, and a series of questionnaires. Results: Multiple regression models with relevant covariates revealed that older adults were slower and less accurate than younger adults on the eHealth Fact Search task, but not on the eHealth Symptom Search task. Nevertheless, executive functions mediated the relationship between older age and eHealth Fact Search and Symptom Search accuracy. Conclusions: Older adults can experience difficulty searching the Internet for some health-related information, which is at least partly attributable to executive dysfunction. Future studies are needed to determine the benefits of training in the organizational and strategic aspects of Internet search for older adults and whether these findings are applicable to clinical populations with executive dysfunction.

scholarly journals Older Adults’ Adherence to Technology-Based Intervention: The Role of Messaging and Individual Differences

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 555-555
Author(s):  
Walter Boot ◽  
Nelson Roque ◽  
Erin Harrell ◽  
Neil Charness
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Individual Difference ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Message Framing ◽  
Training Intervention ◽  
Home Technology

Abstract Adherence to health behaviors is often poor, including adherence to at-home technology-based interventions. This study (N=120) explored adherence to a cognitive training intervention delivered via computer tablet, assessed adherence over a 4.5 month period, explored how individual difference factors shaped adherence, and tested the efficacy of message framing manipulations (positive vs. negative framing) in boosting adherence. Individual difference factors predicted adherence, including variations in self-efficacy and belief in the efficacy of cognitive training. Overall message framing had little impact. However, during the final portion of the study in which participants were asked to play as much or as little as they wanted instead of following a schedule, participants who received positively framed messages engaged with the intervention more. Implications for predicting and boosting adherence to home delivered technology-based interventions will be discussed.

scholarly journals Health Among Sexual Minority Older Adults: Individual Differences and Implications for Improving Health

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 860-860
Author(s):  
Britney Wardecker ◽  
Cara Exten
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Health Care Access ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Negative Mood ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Care Access ◽  
Age Related

Abstract The number of sexual minority (SM) older adults is increasing rapidly, yet this population continues to be underrepresented in research (Fredriksen-Goldsen & Kim, 2017) and experiences significant disparities in health and health care access (Fredriksen-Goldsen, 2016; Wallace et al., 2011). In the current symposium, we analyze data from U.S. national probability samples of middle-aged and older adults (MIDUS, HRS, NESARC-III) to consider how age-related concerns and challenges may be experienced differently by SM individuals compared to their heterosexual counterparts. This symposium includes novel methods and statistical tools, such as daily diary assessments, multilevel modeling, and time-varying effects models. Individual presentations evaluate how: (1) SM women, compared to heterosexual women, may respond differently to menopause through norms and values surrounding womanhood; (2) midlife and older SM individuals use alcohol and cigarettes more frequently across a typical week than their heterosexual counterparts, though their substance use may not be tied to common triggers (e.g., negative mood, stress); (3) despite bisexual older adults reporting more health problems compared to lesbian and gay counterparts, they are less prepared for health concerns and crises (e.g., reporting a lower number of valid wills); and (4) the prevalence of depression and anxiety varies across age, such that older SM adults—especially women—are particularly vulnerable to psychological health problems. These presentations collectively examine complex issues facing older SM adults while emphasizing individual differences (i.e., women’s concerns, bisexual people’s issues). We discuss challenges in researching this growing at-risk population, and we highlight areas of future research and intervention.

scholarly journals The role of executive functions in older adults’ affective theory of mind

2021 ◽  
pp. 104513
Author(s):  
Yuki Otsuka ◽  
Miho Shizawa ◽  
Ayumi Sato ◽  
Shoji Itakura
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Executive Functions

scholarly journals Fear of Falling and Cognitive Decline in Healthy Aging Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 265-265
Author(s):  
Rebecca Kraut ◽  
Roee Holtzer
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Fear Of Falling ◽  
Composite Score ◽  
Cognitive Measures ◽  
Delayed Recall ◽  
Memory And Attention ◽  
Aging Adults

Abstract Fear of Falling (FOF) is common and associated with poor mobility in aging but whether persistence of FOF endorsement influences cognitive decline has not been reported. Here we determined the effect of FOF, measured dichotomously and after accounting for persistence, on decline in global cognitive function (GCF), memory, and attention/executive functions. Older adults with persistent FOF (n=81; mean age=77.63±6.67 yrs; %female=74.1), transient FOF (n=60; mean age=76.93±6.01 yrs; %female=61.7), and no FOF (n=286; mean age=75.77±6.42 yrs; %female=49.3) were included. FOF was assessed through yes/no responses to “do you have a fear of falling?” at baseline. GCF was assessed using RBANS; memory was assessed using a composite score comprising the immediate and delayed recall index scores from RBANS; attention/executive functions were assessed via a composite score comprising TMT A & B, letter and category fluency tasks, and digit symbol modalities. Cognitive measures were administered annually for up to six years. Linear mixed effects models revealed that persistent FOF was associated with a worse decline in GCF compared to both transient FOF (estimate=0.78, p=.022) and no FOF (estimate=0.75, p=.004). Persistent FOF was also associated with a worse decline in memory compared to those with transient FOF (estimate=0.08, p=.004) and those with no FOF (estimate=0.06, p=.006). Associations between FOF status and decline in attention/executive functions were not significant. These findings demonstrate that persistent FOF is a risk factor for cognitive decline in community-residing older adults.

Executive functions in decision making: An individual differences approach

2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabio Del Missier ◽  
Timo Mäntylä ◽  
Wändi Bruine de Bruin
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Executive Functions
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