加工速度和工作记忆在认知年老化过程中的作用

研究加工速度和工作记忆在认知能力年老化过程中的作用。被试为20-90岁的健康成人1350名,完成加工速度、工作记忆及一组认知能力测验,应用分层回归分析方法考查在年老化过程中加工速度和工作记忆对多项认知变量的作用量。结果表明,在年老化过程中,加工速度和工作记忆对认知变量的作用量分别约为87% 和76%;二者的综合作用量约为94%。说明加工速度和工作记忆在认知能力年老化过程中起决定作用     

基本心理能力老化的认知机制

基本心理能力老化机制是认知老化领域研究热点之一。横断研究与追踪研究表明, 感觉功能、加工速度、工作记忆等信息加工资源的衰退导致了基本心理能力的衰退。但由于相关研究不能进行因果推论, 基本心理能力老化的认知机制尚存在争论。因此本项目拟采用实验室研究和干预实验设计, 通过操纵感觉功能(知觉压力水平)、干预加工速度与工作记忆, 考察基本心理能力的年龄差异的变化, 以期为认知老化理论的深化和拓展提供实验依据。     

教育水平在认知老化中的作用

为考察教育水平在认知老化中的作用,分别使用横断数据和干预数据分析教育水平对认知老化的影响模式。对51名58～83岁的城市社区老年人实施加工速度测验和基本心理能力测验。随机选取25名被试作为干预组接受加工速度训练。被试在前测后第8周接受与前测内容相同的后测。横断分析的结果显示,在特定的认知测验中,教育水平对认知能力的年龄差异有调节作用。干预数据的分析结果显示,加工速度干预效果显著,且对词汇流畅性有迁移作用。但相关分析和回归分析的结果则表明,教育水平在促进老年人干预收益和迁移方面的作用不显著。在获取和应用新知识方面,教育水平的作用并不显著,其在认知老化中的作用可能更多地表现为对固有认知功能的保护。     

一般流体智力的结构与老化机制--结构方程模型的比较

近年来一般流体智力的认知结构与老化机制已成为认知研究中的一个热点。本研究通过结构方程模型探讨了认知加工速度、工作记忆、注意能力与一般流体智力的联系,结果表明：加工速度、控制性注意是一般流体智力的主要认知成分,工作记忆并非一般流体智力的认知成分,两者之间足共变关系。加入年龄因子的结构方程模型也证实了加工速度和控制性注意是一般流体智力老化的重要中介因子。     

Unraveling the Aging Skein: Disentangling Sensory and Cognitive Predictors of Age‐related Differences in Decision Making

Age‐related differences in sensory functioning, processing speed, and working memory have been identified as three significant predictors of the age‐related performance decline observed in complex cognitive tasks. Yet, the assessment of their relative predictive capacity and interrelations is still an open issue in decision making and cognitive aging research. Indeed, no previous investigation has examined the relationships of all these three predictors with decision making. In an individual‐differences study, we therefore disentangled the relative contribution of sensory functioning, processing speed, and working memory to the prediction of the age‐related decline in cognitively demanding judgment and decision‐making tasks. Structural equation modeling showed that the age‐related decline in working memory plays an important predictive role, even when controlling for sensory functioning, processing speed, and education. Implications for research on decision making and cognitive aging are discussed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

社区老年人执行功能和加工速度与运动能力的关系

随着年龄的增长,老年人的运动能力和执行功能,以及心理加工速度都出现不同程度的衰退。已有的研究多集中于步行与跌倒,未能统合考察运动能力、心理加工速度以及执行功能各子成分之间的关系。本研究对66名老年人的运动能力、执行功能以及加工速度进行了测试,通过经典范式对老年人四种运动能力测试(握力、30秒连续坐起、闭眼单足站立、起立行走计时)与执行功能各子成分(抑制控制、刷新功能、转换功能以及工作记忆)及心理加工速度进行了统合考察,更深入地探究了老年人运动能力与认知能力之间的关系。结果发现,在运动能力中,起立行走计时的成绩与执行功能和加工速度的关系最为密切,对起立行走计时的预测模型中加工速度权重最大。结果提示,对老年人认知功能的干预可能会影响老年人的基本运动能力。     

Stress-related cognitive interference predicts cognitive function in old age

Both subjective distress and cognitive interference have been proposed as mechanisms underlying the negative effects of stress on cognition. Studies of aging have shown that distress is associated with lower cognitive performance, but none have examined the effects of cognitive interference. One hundred eleven older adults (M-sub(age)=80) completed measures of working memory, processing speed, and episodic memory as well as self-report measures of subjective distress and cognitive interference. Cognitive interference was strongly associated with poorer performance on all 3 cognitive constructs, whereas distress was only modestly associated with lower working memory. The results suggest that cognitive process related to stress is an important predictor of cognitive function in advanced age.     

Longitudinal Changes in Memory Performance and Processing Speed in Old Age abstract Keywords

The speed theory of cognitive aging posits that an age-related slowing of processing speed leads to impairments in higher order cognitive functions, such as memory. However, only few studies have examined the relationship between longitudinal changes in processing speed and longitudinal changes in memory performance. In the present study, data of 474 older adults (T1: 59–65 years) from the Interdisciplinary Longitudinal Study on Adult Development (ILSE) were used to investigate whether changes in speed and in memory were associated over a 4-year period. Performance changes in both constructs were analyzed using latent change factor models. Results show that latent changes in processing speed and latent changes in memory performance correlated with 0.61. This association is considerably lower than what would have been expected from cross-sectional data. Our longitudinal results suggest that although speed changes explain a substantial proportion of variance in memory changes, additional explanatory factors must be taken into consideration.     

Stimulation cognitive chez les personnes âgées : effets d’une méthode de stimulation cognitive par les jeux sur les fonctions cognitives et l’estime de soi

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a cognitive stimulation program with games on scores to cognitive tests (processing speed, mental flexibility, working memory, inhibition) and how this program can benefit to a psycho-affective measure, self-esteem in older adults. Forty-eight participants over 60 years old took part in the experiment. They were divided into two groups: 1 group followed a program of cognitive stimulation using leisure activities with games and 1 control group in which people gathered every week. There were 8 sessions of cognitive stimulation using leisure activities like games, one-hour session a week. Measures have focused on speed of processing and executive functions (shifting, updating and inhibition). They have been evaluated before and after the training program. Results show that the cognitive stimulation program using leisure activities with games is effective on speed of processing, memory span, inhibition and self-esteem but shows no benefits on shifting and updating. These results indicate that it seems to be possible to enhance cognitive resources, inhibition and self-esteem using leisure activities with games as a tool for cognitive stimulation.     

Long‐Term Effects of an Extensive Cognitive Training on Personality Development

Previous research found that cognitive training increases the Big Five personality trait Openness to Experience during and some weeks after the intervention. The present study investigated whether long‐term changes happen in Openness to Experience and other personality traits after an extensive cognitive training of memory and perceptual speed. The intervention group consisted of 204 adults (20–31 years and 65–80 years; 50% female) who received daily 1‐hour cognitive training sessions for about 100 days. The control group consisted of 86 adults (21–29 years and 65–82 years; 51% female) who received no cognitive training. All participants answered the NEO Five‐Factor Inventory before and 2 years after the cognitive training. Latent change models were applied that controlled for age group (young vs. old) and gender. In the long run, the cognitive training did not affect changes in any facet of Openness to Experience. This was true for young and old participants as well as for men and women. Instead, the cognitive training lowered the general increase of Conscientiousness. Even an extensive cognitive training on memory and perceptual speed does not serve as a sufficient intervention for enduring changes in Openness to Experiences or one of its facets.     

Cognitive Mediators of Age-Related Differences in Language Comprehension and Verbal Memory Performance

The present study tried to specify how much processing speed, working memory capacity, and inhibition capability contribute to the effects of aging on language performance. An individual-differences approach was used to examine the component processes that predict performance in language comprehension and verbal long-term memory tasks. A total of 151 participants aged 31-80 completed language processing tasks and a battery of tasks designed to assess processing speed, working memory, and resistance to interference. Latent-construct structural equation modeling was used to examine the relationships of these factors and age to different types of language tasks. The best fit model showed first that all the significant relationships between age and language performance are mediated through reductions in speed, resistance to interference, and working memory; this confirms the validity of the general factor approach of age-related differences in cognitive performance. The best fit model, however, also showed that the contribution of speed and resistance to interference is indirect and mediated by working memory, which appears to play a crucial role in explaining age-related differences in language performance.     

Working memory training improvements and gains in non-trained cognitive tasks in young and older adults

Previous studies on working memory training have indicated that transfer to non-trained tasks of other cognitive domains may be possible. The aim of this study is to compare working memory training and transfer effects between younger and older adults (n = 60). A novel approach to adaptive n-back training (12 sessions) was implemented by varying the working memory load and the presentation speed. All participants completed a neuropsychological battery of tests before and after the training. On average, younger training participants achieved difficulty level 12 after training, while older training participants only reached difficulty level 5. In younger participants, transfer to Verbal Fluency and Digit Symbol Substitution test was found. In older participants, we observed a transfer to Digit Span Forward, CERAD Delayed Recall, and Digit Symbol Substitution test. Results suggest that working memory training may be a beneficial intervention for maintaining and improving cognitive functioning in old age.     

Central executive system impairment in traumatic brain injury

The aim of the present study was to identify cognitive functions affected by traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to verify the mechanism underlying cognitive impairment. More precisely, cognitive deficits following TBI can be considered as a consequence of (a) a speed processing deficit, that is a general slowing of perceptual, motor and cognitive subroutines; (b) an impairment of the Central Executive System of working memory (CES).Thirty-seven patients were submitted to a neuropsychological battery, aimed to evaluate different cognitive functions.Results showed severe deficits in speed processing, divided attention,working memory, executive functions and long term memory.Regression analyses, performed to test the two hypotheses, showed that the working memory deficit hypothesis is able to explain divided attention, executive functions and long term memory deficits more than speed processing hypothesis.     

教育水平对老年人认知能力的影响模式

来自北京三个社区的217位60~85岁的老年人接受了五项基本心理能力测验、感觉功能测查、加工速度和工作记忆容量的测试。运用相关分析、方差分析以及结构方程模型考察了教育水平对老年人基本心理能力的影响。研究得到：（1）从整体上看,教育水平对老年人基本心理能力的积极作用是普遍存在的,不依赖于具体的领域;分水平看,教育水平对认知功能的积极作用随教育水平的高低表现出领域间的差异。（2）教育水平与年龄各自独立地对老年人的认知能力产生影响,教育水平的作用是积极的,年龄的影响是极性的。（3）教育水平对老年人基本心理能力的影响不是直接的,而是以加工速度和工作记忆为中介的。     

任务结构相似性对工作记忆训练迁移效应的影响

研究发现,个体的工作记忆能力通过训练可以提高。但是,目前对于工作记忆训练的迁移效应,尚未有统一的结论。本文通过梳理相关研究,发现训练任务与评估迁移效应任务之间的结构相似性会对迁移效应产生影响。结构相似性即训练任务和未训练任务之间共享加工和加工程序,而这个共享加工和加工程序能通过发展相似的策略实现工作记忆训练的迁移。今后研究应该更加注意以往研究设计中的不足,针对不同群体的工作记忆训练效果的机制分别进行研究。     

Effects of working memory training in young and old adults

Many cognitive abilities, including working memory and reasoning ability, decline with progressing age. In this study, we investigated whether four weeks of intensive working memory training would enhance working memory and reasoning performance in an age-comparative setting. Groups of 34 young (19–36 years) and 27 older (62–77 years) adults practiced tasks representing the three functional categories in the facet model of working memory capacity: storage and processing, relational integration, and supervision. The data were compared to those of a young and an old active control group who practiced tasks with low working memory demands. A cognitive test battery measuring near and far transfer was administered before and after training. Both age groups showed increased working memory performance in the trained tasks and in one structurally similar, but nontrained, task. Young adults also improved in a task measuring word-position binding in working memory. However, we found no far transfer to reasoning in either age group. The results provide evidence that working memory performance can be improved throughout the life span. However, in contrast to a previous study in which each facet of working memory capacity was trained separately, the present study showed that training multiple functional categories simultaneously induces less transfer.     

认知年老化和老年心理健康

认知功能和心理健康是健康老龄化的两个基本要素。认知功能随年老而加速减退,其机制的探讨表明,加工速度、工作记忆和执行功能在认知年老过程中均起重要的中介作用。大多数老年人的心理健康状况较好、生活满意度较高,其心态随年龄的增高而更趋于平静满足,但独居和绝对空巢老人的某些心理健康问题不容忽视。认知年老化过程和老年人的心理健康状况分别受诸多因素的影响,研究结果为延缓认知功能的年老减退和保持老年人的心理健康,以及实现健康老龄化和积极老龄化提供了有益的启示     

老年人加工速度的干预研究

对老年人加工速度进行干预, 旨在考察加工速度在老年期的可塑性。首先对46名60~79岁城市社区老年人实施前测, 包括两项加工速度测验(数字比较、图形匹配)、成套基本心理能力测验和老年人日常智力自我效能感问卷。然后, 干预组25名老年人接受每周一期(每期50min)共计5期的加工速度训练。训练内容为图形模式比较。所有被试在训练周期结束后接受后测, 并在后测结束4个月后接受追踪测验。结果表明, 能够通过加工速度干预显著提高老年人图形匹配测验成绩, 并对词汇流畅测验成绩有迁移作用, 但干预和迁移效果并未保持到4个月。与数字比较测验相比, 图形匹配测验能够更稳定地反映干预的效果。     

嵌套范式下视空工作记忆对基于规则类别学习

基于COVIS模型与认知加工阶段假设,通过2个实验探讨嵌套范式下, 视空工作记忆对基于规则类别学习的影响。实验1采用类别学习中嵌套视空工作记忆的范式,结果发现视空工作记忆削弱基于规则类别学习成绩,与COVIS模型预测相一致。实验2则采用视空工作记忆中嵌套类别学习任务的范式,结果却发现视空工作记忆对基于规则类别学习的影响消失。实验结果表明嵌套范式下视空工作记忆的位置影响基于规则类别学习,初步验证了类别学习存在多个认知加工阶段的假设,视空工作记忆主要影响基于规则类别学习中规则的发现和检验阶段。     

Further considerations regarding inhibitory processes, working memory, and cognitive aging

The present study explored the relationship between inhibitory processing (as indexed by identity negative priming in a letter-naming task), working memory, discourse processing, and cognitive aging effects. Consistent with several other recent reports, this study found evidence of intact inhibitory processing, as measured by negative priming, in older adults as well as younger adults. This intact negative priming occurred in conjunction with diminished working memory span and impaired memory in the discourse processing task in the same sample of older adults, further arguing against the likelihood that declines in these areas are caused by impairments in the inhibitory processes measured by negative priming. The implications of these results for theories of cognitive aging and possible reasons for inconsistent findings regarding negative priming effects among the elderly are discussed.