Age differences in the reliance on executive resources during updating working memory depend on memory load

Abstract

Event Abstract Back to Event Age differences in the reliance on executive resources during updating working memory depend on memory load Michel Isingrini1*, Lucie Angel1, Severine Fay1, Laurence Taconnat1, Patrick Lemaire2 and Badiaa Bouazzaoui1 1 University of Tours - Research Center on Cognition and Learning, Psychology, France 2 University of Aix-Marseille, Psychology, France In this study, the rationale of the Compensation-Related Utilization of Neural Circuits Hypothesis (CRUNCH; Reuter-Lorenz & Cappell, 2008) was used to investigate how executive control is involved when young and older adults accomplish an updating working-memory task. We hypothesized that the functional neural CRUNCH mechanisms would be reflected at a cognitive level by an executive CRUNCH-like mechanism that would be highlighted through correlations between performance on cognitive and executive function measures that would interact with levels of task difficulty during adulthood. Correlational and regression approaches were used to test the hypothesis that age-related differences in the correlation between working memory and executive control vary as a function of memory load. Consistent with CRUNCH predictions, we found that executive control was more used at lower memory loads by older adults and at higher memory loads in young adults. We also found that executive and speed factors are two significant resources involved in UWMT performance for both young and older adults, but that these resources are differently involved as a function of age and load level. Moreover, executive functioning appeared as the only predictor paralleling the expected CRUNCH pattern. Finally, as regard, that in conditions in which they relied on executive control, older adults were able to obtain as good performance as young adults, we discuss the possibility that greater reliance on executive resources may serve as a compensatory mechanism in older adults. Overall, these results support the validity of the CRUNCH model as an account of age-related differences in executive control engagement. Keywords: Aging, executive functions, Updating, Working memory load, CRUNCH model Conference: XII International Conference on Cognitive Neuroscience (ICON-XII), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 27 Jul - 31 Jul, 2014. Presentation Type: Poster Topic: Cognition and Executive Processes Citation: Isingrini M, Angel L, Fay S, Taconnat L, Lemaire P and Bouazzaoui B (2015). Age differences in the reliance on executive resources during updating working memory depend on memory load. Conference Abstract: XII International Conference on Cognitive Neuroscience (ICON-XII). doi: 10.3389/conf.fnhum.2015.217.00125 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 19 Feb 2015; Published Online: 24 Apr 2015. * Correspondence: Prof. Michel Isingrini, University of Tours - Research Center on Cognition and Learning, Psychology, Tours, France, isingrini@univ-tours.fr Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Michel Isingrini Lucie Angel Severine Fay Laurence Taconnat Patrick Lemaire Badiaa Bouazzaoui Google Michel Isingrini Lucie Angel Severine Fay Laurence Taconnat Patrick Lemaire Badiaa Bouazzaoui Google Scholar Michel Isingrini Lucie Angel Severine Fay Laurence Taconnat Patrick Lemaire Badiaa Bouazzaoui PubMed Michel Isingrini Lucie Angel Severine Fay Laurence Taconnat Patrick Lemaire Badiaa Bouazzaoui Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.