Plasticity of prospective memory through a familiarization intervention in old adults

Abstract

Younger adults consistently outperform older adults in laboratory prospective memory tasks. This study examines the effectiveness of an intervention that familiarizes older adults with the sequence of ongoing events to compensate their reduced prospective memory performance. We compared performance and electrophysiological measures of an intervention group (N = 20, 69-83 years) receiving a familiarization intervention to an individually matched control group (N = 20). As ongoing activity a 2-back working memory task was administered. Neural correlates were studied using event related potentials (ERPs) and source localization (standardized low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography). Behavioural data showed faster reaction times in correct prospective trials and fewer prospective false alarms in the familiarization intervention group. ERP analyses displayed differential patterns for the two groups and source localization measures distinctively presented group differences in prospective memory trials with the control group recruiting more resources for a successful prospective memory performance. Together our data support the hypothesis that the familiarity with the sequence of ongoing events increases prospective memory performance and that this might be based on a higher efficiency of attentional monitoring resources and evaluation processes in the intervention group.

Prospective Memory Training in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…A number of assessment tools have been developed to diagnose, assess, and evaluate the effects of different treatments on PM. Laboratory PM tasks (e.g., lexical decision task in Ihle et al, 2018 ; two-back working memory task in Zöllig et al, 2012 ) and naturalistic PM tasks (e.g., telephone call task in Troyer, 2001 ; writing the day of the week in Burkard et al, 2014b ) are commonly used to measure PM performance in older adults. Validated objective PM assessments (e.g., the Cambridge Test of Prospective Memory [CAMPROMPT]; Wilson et al, 2005 ) and self-reported questionnaires (e.g., Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire [PRMQ]; Crawford et al, 2003 ; Comprehensive Assessment of Prospective Memory [CAPM]; Chau et al, 2007 ) are also used to diagnose and evaluate PM impairment, respectively.…”

Spatiotemporal EEG Dynamics of Prospective Memory in Ageing and Mild Cognitive Impairment

“…EEG electrodes) were averaged according to the outlined topographical clusters depicted in Fig. 3 (Appendix 2), which were informed through previous PM ERP research [16,30,45,46]. Averaging the connection weights of the input neurons offers a way of understanding differences in local connection weight changes between the groups within a specific area.…”

Functional Approaches to Lifespan Development

“…However, the functional approach to development is equally applicable to the dynamic recruitment of neural structures to achieve stability in more complex outcomes (e.g., Imfeld, Oechslin, Meyer, Loenneker, & Jäncke, 2009; Münte, Altenmüller, & Jäncke, 2002). In this context, consider that, as individuals age, they may have to recruit neural networks differently to achieve the same performance outcome (e.g., Bezzola, Mérillat, & Jäncke, 2012; Hayes & Cabeza, 2008; Willis, Schaie, & Martin, 2009; Zöllig, Mattli, Sutter, Aurelio, & Martin, 2012). The approach may also be applied on the levels of genetics, cells, organs, individuals, and societies.…”