S143 Emotions, episodic memory and error monitoring – Age-dependent event-related potential characteristics

Abstract

Objectives The aim of the study was to analyze the event-related potential (ERP) features of working memory and error monitoring processes both of which are assumed to decline by aging. For this purpose, age-related changes of emotional word recognition and decision making patterns in risky conditions were investigated. Methods Data were collected in three different experimental conditions in young (18–26 yrs) and elderly (60–75 yrs) participants. In an episodic memory task subjects were asked to memorize a set of emotional words and word recognition test was performed. The two-choice-single-outcome gambling and the Balloon Analogue Risk Tasks (BART) were used to study sequential decision making risking to lose or to gain by each move. Results The old/new effect on the N400 ERP component and the effect of valence for negative words were more pronounced in the young. The feedback-related negativity component corresponded to the goodness of outcome and the P3 showed complex feedback evaluation, but only in the young. The reward positivity ERP component increased as a function of reward contingencies, but only in the young. Discussion and conclusions The findings indicate prioritized processing of aversive stimuli in the young. The neural mechanisms signaling the most salient feedback stimulus properties are altered by aging. Sequential tracking of outcome contingencies has a key role in action planning and progressive expectation. Significance The obvious decline of the cognitive functions investigated indicate diminished capacity of adaptive behavior in the elderly.