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Age differences in task switching and response monitoring: evidence from ERPs.

Eppinger B, Kray J, Mecklinger A, John O

Department of Psychology, Saarland University, Im Stadtwald, D-66041 Saarbrücken, Germany. eppinger@mx.uni-saarland.de

This study investigates age differences in the flexible adaptation to changing demands on task switching and conflict processing. We applied a cued task-switching version of the Stroop task and manipulated the ratio of conflict trials. During task preparation, the P300 varied as a function of conflict ratio and a later positive component was larger for switch than non-switch trials. Stimulus-related conflict processing as indicated by a negativity for incompatible trials (Ni) was delayed for older adults. Moreover, the Ni varied as a function of conflict ratio and was larger for switch than for non-switch trials. Age differences were also obtained in the correct response negativity (CRN). CRN was larger on incompatible trials and this CRN-compatibility effect was enhanced when incompatible trials were infrequent in younger, but not in older adults. Our findings suggest impairments of older adults primarily in response-related conflict processing and in the flexible adaptation to changing task contexts.

Published 19 March 2007 in Biol Psychol, 75(1): 52-67.
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