The acute effects of glucose ingestion on attentional control in fasting healthy older adults.
BACKGROUND
Glucose enhancing effects have been observed in older adults mainly for episodic memory, but have been under-investigated for attentional functions, which are very sensitive to aging.


OBJECTIVE
The present study examined the acute effects of glucose ingestion on different attentional tasks in fasting healthy older adults.


METHODS
In a between-subjects design, 44 participants (60 years and older) were randomly assigned to a glucose (50 g) or saccharin (placebo) condition after 12 h of fasting. Participants were tested on neuropsychological tests of attention (trail A and B, modified Stroop) and on a computerized dual-task.


RESULTS
Participants in the glucose group were faster than the placebo group to complete the switching condition of the modified Stroop test (p < 0.01) and showed a smaller dual-task cost in the divided attention task (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Glucose ingestion appears to momentarily enhance attentional performances in seniors who have fasted for 12 h in tasks requiring switching and dividing attention.
Gagnon
Christine
C
Université du Québec à Montréal, Case Postale 8888, Succursale, Centre-Ville, Montréal, Québec H3C3P8, Canada. christine.gagnon@gmail.com
Greenwood
Carol E
CE
Bherer
Louis
L
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D056344:Executive Function / Q000187:drug effects*; D005215:Fasting / Q000097:blood / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests
D001786:Blood Glucose; D005947:Glucose