Decomposing working memory subprocesses with the reference-back paradigm: Event-related potentials and age-related differences.

ABSTRACT: We used a data-driven approach to study the electrophysiological correlates of the working memory subprocesses revealed by the reference-back paradigm. In the absence of prior research, we focused on how aging affects the four subprocesses: updating, substitution, gate opening, and gate closing. We conducted our experiment with 24 younger adults (M = 20.17±1.47) and 23 older adults (M = 67.35±4.01). Significant reaction time costs were observed for all four subprocesses, but age-related differences were found only in substitution, which was larger in older than younger adults, indicating it as being the most vulnerable subprocess in aging. Using difference waves, we identified event-related potential components that characterize the subprocesses we studied. Regarding updating: three occipi

SUBMITTER: Gaal ZA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11616816 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature