ERP C250 shows the elderly (cognitively normal, Alzheimer's disease) store more stimuli in short-term memory than Young Adults do.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To determine how aging and dementia affect the brain's initial storing of task-relevant and irrelevant information in short-term memory.

Methods

We used brain Event-Related Potentials (ERPs) to measure short-term memory storage (ERP component C250) in 36 Young Adults, 36 Normal Elderly, and 36 early-stage AD subjects. Participants performed the Number-Letter task, a cognitive paradigm requiring memory storage of a first relevant stimulus to compare it with a second stimulus.

Results

In Young Adults, C250 was more positive for the first task-relevant stimulus compared to all other stimuli. C250 in Normal Elderly and AD subjects was roughly the same to relevant and irrelevant stimuli in Intratrial Parts 1-3 but not 4. The AD group had lower C250 to relevant st

SUBMITTER: Chapman RM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4959798 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature