Older age, traumatic brain injury, and cognitive slowing: some convergent and divergent findings.
Reaction time (RT) meta-analyses of cognitive slowing indicate that all stages of processing slow equivalently and task independently among both older adults (J. Cerella & S. Hale, 1994) and adults who have suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI; F. R. Ferraro, 1996). However, meta-analyses using both RT and P300 latency have revealed stage-specific and task-dependent changes among older individuals (T. R. Bashore, K. R. Ridderinkhof, & M. W. van der Molen, 1998). Presented in this article are a meta-analysis of the effect of TBI on processing speed, assessed using P300 latency and RT, and a qualitative review of the literature. They suggest that TBI induces differential slowing. Similarities in the effects of older age and TBI on processing speed are discussed and suggestions for future research on TBI-induced cognitive slowing are offered.
Bashore
Theodore R
TR
Department of Psychology, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley 80639, USA. trbasho@unco.edu
Ridderinkhof
K Richard
KR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D003071:Cognition; D018913:Event-Related Potentials, P300; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D008875:Middle Aged; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011930:Reaction Time