Be prepared for interruptions: EEG correlates of anticipation when dealing with task interruptions and the role of aging.
Aging
Anticipation
EEG
Selective attention
Task interruptions
Working memory
Journal
Scientific reports
ISSN: 2045-2322
Titre abrégé: Sci Rep
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101563288
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
07 03 2024
07 03 2024
Historique:
received:
05
10
2023
accepted:
06
03
2024
medline:
11
3
2024
pubmed:
8
3
2024
entrez:
7
3
2024
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Dealing with task interruptions requires the flexible use of working memory and attentional control mechanisms, which are prone to age-related changes. We investigated effects of age on dealing with task interruptions and potential advantages of anticipating an interruption using EEG and a retrospective cueing (retro-cue) paradigm. Thirty-two young (18-30 years) and 28 older (55-70 years) participants performed a visual working memory task, where they had to report the orientation of a target following a retro-cue. Within blocks of 10 trials, they were always, never, or randomly interrupted with an arithmetic task before the onset of the retro-cue. The interruption-induced decline in primary task performance was more pronounced in older participants, while only these benefited from anticipation. The EEG analysis revealed reduced theta and alpha/beta response to the retro-cue following interruptions, especially for the older participants. In both groups, anticipated interruptions were associated with increased theta and alpha/beta power prior and during the interruption, and stronger beta suppression to the retro-cue. The results indicate that interruptions impede the refocusing of attention on the task-relevant representation of the primary task, especially in older people, while anticipation facilitates preparation for the interruption task and resumption of the primary task.
Identifiants
pubmed: 38454047
doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-56400-y
pii: 10.1038/s41598-024-56400-y
pmc: PMC10920752
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
5679Subventions
Organisme : Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
ID : SCHN 1450/3-1
Informations de copyright
© 2024. The Author(s).
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