Plasticity of inhibitory processes and associated far-transfer effects in older adults

Psychol Aging. 2016 Aug;31(5):415-429. doi: 10.1037/pag0000102. Epub 2016 May 30.

Abstract

Inhibition deficit plays a crucial part in cognitive aging; however, few studies have systematically investigated the plasticity of various inhibitory processes among older adults. We studied the plasticity of 3 inhibitory processes (access, deletion, and restraint) and the extent of far transfer of inhibition training to other general cognitive abilities. Thirty-six participants (aged 60 years and above, M = 70.06, SD = 5.53) were randomly assigned to an adaptive training group that received 12 sessions of training covering 3 inhibitory processes or an active control group that received 4 sessions of mental health lectures. Participants in both groups completed pre- and posttest assessments, in which behavioral and electrophysiological measures were used to evaluate potential transfer effects. Direct training gains were observed for trained tasks of all inhibitory processes, but near-transfer effects were only found within untrained tasks associated with deletion at a composite score level. Furthermore, far-transfer effects were demonstrated for fluid intelligence (Gf) but not for working memory or other general cognitive abilities. Near transfer to deletion and far transfer to Gf persisted at a 3-month follow-up assessment session. We discussed differences in plasticity between the 3 inhibitory processes as well as their possible associations with far transfer to Gf. (PsycINFO Database Record

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Webcast

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aging / physiology*
  • Aging / psychology*
  • Attention / physiology
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / physiopathology*
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / psychology*
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inhibition, Psychological*
  • Judgment / physiology
  • Male
  • Memory, Short-Term / physiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Neural Inhibition / physiology*
  • Neuronal Plasticity / physiology*
  • Problem Solving / physiology
  • Reading
  • Reversal Learning / physiology
  • Transfer, Psychology / physiology*