title: Multisubject Decomposition of Event-related Positivities in Cognitive Control: Tackling Age-related Changes in Reactive Control.
abstract: Age-related neurocognitive effects have been observed at different levels ranging from reduced amplitudes of even-related potentials and brain oscillations, to topography changes of brain activity. However, their association remains incompletely understood. We investigated time-frequency and time-course effects in functional networks underlying the P300 and their involvement in reactive control. Electroencephalographic (EEG) data of three different age groups (30 young: 18-26 years, 30 mid-aged: 49-58 years, 30 elderly: 65-75 years) was measured while they performed a cued colour/thickness switching task. Neural data was analysed concerning the targets. To consider restart, mixing, and switching processes, the targets´ position after a cue (first or third target) as well as their context in the single-task (distractor cue) or the mixed-task block (switch- or repeat cue) was analysed. P300 EEG data was decomposed by means of group-independent component and time-frequency analyses focusing on theta and beta oscillations. RTs generally slowed down with age (main effect group), and effects were specifically strong in targets after a switching cue (larger Cohens d). Peaking at around 300 ms, we detected five functionally independent networks reflecting the multicomponent process underlying task-switching. These networks differed in terms of their topography (parietal and frontal), their involvement in task processes (switch-specific, mixing-, restart-, and single-task processes) and in terms of frequency effects. All were affected by age, as indicated by amplitude changes of the target-P300 and power reductions most consistently shown in beta oscillations. Most extensive age-related changes were observed in one parietal network sensitive to mixing and restart processes. Changes included a topography shift, P300 and beta amplitudes, and were ongoing in the elderly group.
authors: Department of Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands. s.enriquez.geppert@rug.nl.|Department of Psychology, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain. s.enriquez.geppert@rug.nl.
authors: Stefanie
authors: S
authors: Enriquez-Geppert
authors: Department of Psychology, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain.|Asociación de Neuropsicologia Balear, Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
authors: Francisco
authors: F
authors: Barceló
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D001611:Beta Rhythm; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003116:Color; D003463:Cues; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods*; D018913:Event-Related Potentials, P300; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Cognitive aging; Frontalization; Functional networks; Group ICA; P300; Task-switching; Theta and beta oscillations