title: Differences in temporal order memory among young, middle-aged, and older adults may depend on the level of interference.
abstract: Age-related changes in temporal order memory have been well documented in older adults; however, little is known about this ability during middle age. We tested healthy young, middle-aged, and older adults on a previously published visuospatial temporal order memory test involving high and low interference conditions. When interference was low, young and middle-aged adults did not differ, but both groups significantly outperformed older adults. However, when interference was high, significant differences were found among all three age groups. The data provide evidence that temporal order memory may begin to decline in middle age, particularly when temporal interference is high.
authors: Department of Psychology, San Diego State University San Diego, CA, USA.
authors: Lindsay J
authors: LJ
authors: Rotblatt
authors: Department of Psychology, San Diego State University San Diego, CA, USA.
authors: Catherine A
authors: CA
authors: Sumida
authors: Department of Psychology, San Diego State University San Diego, CA, USA.
authors: Emily J
authors: EJ
authors: Van Etten
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego La Jolla, CA, USA ; Veterans Affairs San Diego Health Care System, Research Service San Diego, CA, USA.
authors: Eva Pirogovsky
authors: EP
authors: Turk
authors: Department of Psychology, San Diego State University San Diego, CA, USA.
authors: Jerlyn C
authors: JC
authors: Tolentino
authors: Department of Psychology, San Diego State University San Diego, CA, USA ; San Diego State University-University of California San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology San Diego, CA, USA.
authors: Paul E
authors: PE
authors: Gilbert
keywords: aging; interference; middle age; pattern separation; temporal order