Are Older Adults’ Difficulties on Emotion Recognition and Theory of Mind Tasks Due to a Decline in General Cognitive Ability?

Abstract Older adults have both worse general cognition and worse social cognition. A frequent suggestion is that worse social cognition is due to worse general cognition. However, previous studies have often provided contradictory evidence. The current study examined this issue with a more extensive battery of tasks for both forms of cognition. We gave 47 young and 40 older adults three tasks to assess general cognition (processing speed, working memory, fluid intelligence) and three tasks to assess their social cognition (emotion and theory-of-mind). Older adults did worse on all tasks and there were correlations between general and social cognition. Although working memory and fluid intelligence were unique predictors of performance on the Emotion Photos task and the Eyes task, Age Group was a unique predictor on all three social cognitiaon tasks. Thus, there were relations between the two forms of cognition but older adults continued to do worse than young adults even after accounting for general cognition. We argue that this pattern of results is due to some overlap in brain areas mediating general and social cognition, but also independence, and with a differential rate of decline in brain areas dedicated to general cognition versus social cognition.

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Working Memory Training Does Not Enhance Older Adults’ Cognitive Skills: A Comprehensive Meta-Analysis

10.31234/osf.io/5frzb ◽

2018 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Giovanni Sala ◽

N Deniz Aksayli ◽

Kemal Semir ◽

Yasuyuki Gondo ◽

Fernand Gobet

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Working Memory ◽

Cognitive Training ◽

Cognitive Skills ◽

Fluid Intelligence ◽

Transfer Effects ◽

Far Transfer ◽

Near Transfer ◽

Analytic Review ◽

Meta Analyses

In the last two decades, considerable efforts have been devoted to finding a way to enhance cognitive function by cognitive training. To date, the attempt to boost broad cognitive functions in the general population has failed. However, it is still possible that some cognitive training regimens exert a positive influence on specific populations, such as older adults. In this meta-analytic review, we investigated the effects of working memory (WM) training on older adults’ cognitive skills. Three robust-variance-estimation meta-analyses (N = 2,140, m = 43, and k = 698) were run to analyze the effects of the intervention on (a) the trained tasks, (b) near-transfer measures, and (c) far-transfer measures. While large effects were found for the trained tasks (g ̅ = 0.877), only modest (g ̅ = 0.274) and near-zero (g ̅ = 0.121) effects were obtained in the near-transfer and far-transfer meta-analyses, respectively. Publication-bias analysis provided adjusted estimates that were slightly lower. Moreover, when active control groups were implemented, the far-transfer effects were null (g ̅ = -0.008). Finally, the effects were highly consistent across studies (i.e., low or null true heterogeneity), especially in the near- and far-transfer models. While confirming the difficulty in obtaining transfer effects with cognitive training, these results corroborate recent empirical evidence suggesting that WM is not isomorphic with other fundamental cognitive skills such as fluid intelligence.

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Convergent validity of the Brazilian version of the Theory of Mind Task Battery for the assessment of social cognition in older adults

Archives of Clinical Psychiatry (São Paulo) ◽

10.1590/0101-60830000000161 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 45 (3) ◽

pp. 75-76

Author(s):

Tais Francine de Rezende ◽

Ana Julia de Lima Bomfim ◽

Natália Mota de Souza Chagas ◽

Flávia de Lima Osório ◽

Marcos Hortes Nisihara Chagas

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Social Cognition ◽

Theory Of Mind ◽

Convergent Validity ◽

Brazilian Version ◽

Mind Task

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Interacting effects of frontal lobe neuroanatomy and working memory capacity to older listeners’ speech recognition in noise

10.1101/2020.09.14.296343 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Nathalie Giroud ◽

Matthias Keller ◽

Martin Meyer

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Working Memory ◽

Frontal Lobe ◽

Pure Tone ◽

Working Memory Capacity ◽

Memory Capacity ◽

Brain Regions ◽

Brain Areas ◽

Speech In Noise ◽

Age Related

AbstractMany older adults are struggling with understanding spoken language, particularly when background noise interferes with comprehension. In the present study, we investigated a potential interaction between two well-known factors associated with greater speech-in-noise (SiN) reception thresholds in older adults, namely a) lower working memory capacity and b) age-related structural decline of frontal lobe regions.In a sample of older adults (N=25) and younger controls (N=13) with normal pure-tone thresholds, SiN reception thresholds and working memory capacity were assessed. Furthermore, T1-weighted structural MR-images were recorded to analyze neuroanatomical traits (i.e., cortical thickness (CT) and cortical surface area (CSA)) of the cortex.As expected, the older group showed greater SiN reception thresholds compared to the younger group. We also found consistent age-related atrophy (i.e., lower CT) in brain regions associated with SiN recognition namely the superior temporal lobe bilaterally, the right inferior frontal and precentral gyrus, as well as the left superior frontal gyrus. Those older participants with greater atrophy in these brain regions also showed greater SiN reception thresholds. Interestingly, the association between CT in the left superior frontal gyrus and SiN reception thresholds was moderated by individual working memory capacity. Older adults with greater working memory capacity benefitted more strongly from thicker frontal lobe regions when it comes to improve SiN recognition.Overall, our results fit well into the literature showing that age-related structural decline in auditory- and cognition-related brain areas is associated with greater SiN reception thresholds in older adults. However, we highlight that this association changes as a function of individual working memory capacity. We therefore believe that future interventions to improve SiN recognition in older adults should take into account the role of the frontal lobe as well as individual working memory capacity.HighlightsSpeech-in-noise (SiN) reception thresholds are significantly increased with higher age, independently of pure-tone hearing lossGreater SiN reception thresholds are associated with cortical thinning in several auditory-, linguistic-, and cognitive-related brain areas, irrespective of pure-tone hearing lossGreater cortical thinning in the left superior frontal lobe is detrimental for SiN recognition in older, but not younger adultsOlder adults with greater working memory capacity benefit more strongly from structural integrity of left superior frontal lobe for SiN recognition

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Effects of Simultaneously Performed Dual-Task Training with Aerobic Exercise and Working Memory Training on Cognitive Functions and Neural Systems in the Elderly

Neural Plasticity ◽

10.1155/2020/3859824 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-17

Author(s):

Hikaru Takeuchi ◽

Daniele Magistro ◽

Yuka Kotozaki ◽

Kosuke Motoki ◽

Keyvan Kashkouli Nejad ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Working Memory ◽

Aerobic Exercise ◽

Dual Task ◽

Cognitive Functions ◽

The Elderly ◽

Neural Systems ◽

Brain Areas ◽

Task Training ◽

Dual Task Training

Working memory (WM) training (WMT), aerobic exercise training (AET), and dual-task training improve cognitive functions and alter neural systems in older adults. In particular, the effects have been investigated of dual-task training that combines a walking or standing activity (balance exercise) simultaneously performed with cognitive training (which is ecologically difficult for the elderly). In this study, we investigated the effects of simultaneously performed dual-task training incorporating both AET and WMT (SDAEWMT), using a recumbent ergocycle bicycle and a WMT program that provided a portable console and made the training ecologically easy for the elderly. Older adults (65.9±13.7 years old) participated in 3 months of SDAEWMT, WMT, or AET after random allocation, and the effects of SDAEWMT were compared with those of WMT and AET. Prior to and after training, all the subjects underwent cognitive testing, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) involving diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and functional MRI during performance of an N-back WM task. SDAEWMT improved executive function (performance of a frontal assessment battery); however, there was no evidence of broader transfer effects or enhanced learning with WMT. SDAEWMT resulted in mean diffusivity changes in brain areas involving the dopaminergic system, suggesting that neural tissue changes occurred in these areas. SDAEWMT also resulted in an increase in brain activity during the 2-back working memory task in brain areas involved in attentional reorientation. These results suggest that SDAEWMT is effective for improving cognitive functions and inducing beneficial neural changes in older adults.

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Working memory functions and fluid intelligence in older adults – a comparison of older to young –

The Proceedings of the Annual Convention of the Japanese Psychological Association ◽

10.4992/pacjpa.78.0_1pm-1-095 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 78 (0) ◽

pp. 1PM-1-095-1PM-1-095

Author(s):

Kazunori Otsuka ◽

Makoto Miyatani

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Working Memory ◽

Fluid Intelligence ◽

Memory Functions

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Executive Functions do not Underlie Performance on the Edinburgh Social Cognition Test (ESCoT) in Healthy Younger and Older Adults

Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society ◽

10.1017/s1355617719001450 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 26 (5) ◽

pp. 527-538

Author(s):

R. Asaad Baksh ◽

Tereża Bugeja ◽

Sarah E. MacPherson

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Social Cognition ◽

Theory Of Mind ◽

Social Norms ◽

Processing Speed ◽

Social Cognitive ◽

Cognitive Theory ◽

Interpersonal Understanding ◽

And Performance ◽

The Relationship

AbstractObjective:Current measures of social cognition have shown inconsistent findings regarding the effects of executive function (EF) abilities on social cognitive performance in older adults. The psychometric properties of the different social cognition tests may underlie the disproportional overlap with EF abilities. Our aim was to examine the relationship between social cognition and EF abilities using the Edinburgh Social Cognition Test (ESCoT; Baksh, R.A., Abrahams, S., Auyeung, B., & MacPherson, S.E. (2018). The Edinburgh Social Cognition Test (ESCoT): Examining the effects of age on a new measure of theory of mind and social norm understanding. PloS One, 13(4), e0195818.), a test assessing four different aspects of social cognition: cognitive theory of mind (ToM), affective ToM, interpersonal understanding of social norms, and intrapersonal understanding of social norms.Method:We administered the ESCoT, EF measures of inhibition, set shifting, updating, and a measure of processing speed to 30 younger and 31 older adults. We also administered the Visual Perspective Taking task (VPT) as a ToM test thought to be reliant on EF abilities.Results:Better performance on cognitive ToM was significantly associated with younger age and slower processing speed. Better performance on affective ToM and ESCoT total score was associated with being younger and female. Better performance on interpersonal understanding of social norms was associated with being younger. EF abilities did not predict performance on any subtest of the ESCoT. In contrast, on the VPT, the relationship between age group and performance was fully or partially mediated by processing speed and updating.Conclusions:These findings show that the ESCoT is a valuable measure of different aspects of social cognition and, unlike many established tests of social cognition, performance is not predicted by EF abilities.

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Training of resistance to proactive interference and working memory in older adults: a randomized double-blind study

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610215001519 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 28 (3) ◽

pp. 453-467 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Sandra V. Loosli ◽

Rosalux Falquez ◽

Josef M. Unterrainer ◽

Cornelius Weiller ◽

Benjamin Rahm ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Working Memory ◽

Proactive Interference ◽

Fluid Intelligence ◽

Double Blind Study ◽

Double Blind ◽

Far Transfer ◽

Underlying Mechanisms ◽

Transfer Tasks

ABSTRACTBackground:Working memory (WM) performance is often decreased in older adults. Despite the growing popularity of WM trainings, underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood. Resistance to proactive interference (PI) constitutes a candidate process that contributes to WM performance and might influence training or transfer effects. Here, we investigated whether PI resistance can be enhanced in older adults using a WM training with specifically increased PI-demands. Further, we investigated whether potential effects of such a training were stable and entailed any transfer on non-trained tasks.Method:Healthy old adults (N = 25, 68.8 ± 5.5 years) trained with a recent-probes and an n-back task daily for two weeks. Two different training regimens (high vs. low PI-amount in the tasks) were applied as between-participants manipulation, to which participants were randomly assigned. Near transfer tasks included interference tasks; far transfer tasks assessed fluid intelligence (gF) or speed. Immediate transfer was assessed directly after training; a follow-up measurement was conducted after two months.Results:Both groups similarly improved in PI resistance in both training tasks. Thus, PI susceptibility was generally reduced in the two training groups and there was no difference between WM training with high versus low PI demands. Further, there was no differential near or far transfer on non-trained tasks, neither immediately after the training nor in the follow-up.Conclusion:PI-demands in WM training tasks do not seem critical for enhancing WM performance or PI resistance in older adults. Instead, improved resistance to PI appears to be an unspecific side-effect of a WM training.

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Are Deficits in Social Cognition Linked to Autobiographical Memory in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease?

Zeitschrift für Neuropsychologie ◽

10.1024/1016-264x/a000187 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 27 (4) ◽

pp. 257-264 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Johannes H. Scheidemann ◽

Franz Petermann ◽

Marc Schipper

Keyword(s):

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Social Cognition ◽

Theory Of Mind ◽

Autobiographical Memory ◽

Positive Relationship ◽

Neuropsychological Test ◽

Clinical Group ◽

Neuropsychological Test Battery ◽

Fluency Task

Abstract. We investigated theory of mind (ToM) deficits in Alzheimer‘s disease (AD) and its possible connection to autobiographical memory (ABM). Patients and matched controls were evaluated and compared using a video-based ToM test, an autobiographical fluency task, and a neuropsychological test battery. We found that ToM deficits were positively associated with semantic ABM in the clinical group, whereas a positive relationship appeared between ToM and episodic ABM in controls. We hypothesize that this reflects the course of the disease as well as that semantic ABM is used for ToM processing, being still accessible in AD. Furthermore, we assume that it is also less efficient, which in turn leads to a specific deficit profile of social cognition.

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