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We examined age-related differences in the spatiotemporal distribution of event-related brain potentials (ERPs) related to feedback processing in a virtual blackjack game. The behavioral data revealed that older adults were less risk seeking than younger adults both within and across trials. Age-related differences were observed in the amplitude of several ERP components (P2-FN-P3a, P3a, slow wave activity) related to feedback processing. These components were localized to the anterior and posterior cingulate, the occipital cortex, and the inferior and medial frontal cortices. The effects of aging on the ERPs ranged from 200-2,000 ms after feedback onset. Our findings indicate that aging affects the activity of a distributed neural network that underpins processing the valence and motivational significance of feedback related to risky decisions.

In this study, we tested young and older adults on a spatially separated Stroop priming task in which a neutral word in colored ink (target) randomly appeared on either side of a color word in black ink (prime). Cues that preceded the target-prime word pair either indicated the correct target location (valid), the incorrect location (invalid), or provided no information about the target location (ambiguous). Analyses of proportional response latencies and ex-Gaussian parameters of response latency distributions showed that valid advance cues reduced interference and invalid cues increased interference for both young and older adults. Ambiguous cues were also associated with high levels of interference, but interference was higher for older adults than for younger adults. These findings are consistent with a large body of research showing age-related deficits in the use of the attentional network associated with executive control. However, they also demonstrate that older adults can use the attentional network associated with spatial orienting to reduce response conflict. For instance, we observed facilitation for congruent trials after the presentation of an invalid cue, but very little facilitation for congruent trials after the presentation of an ambiguous cue. As the attentional demands in our world increase, we might use this knowledge to promote optimal functioning in older adults. Our findings challenge the notion of ubiquitous age-related declines in attention and contribute to the discussion of how attentional networks work together as demands for conflict resolution vary.

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