Conceptual information of meaningful objects is stored incidentally.

Prior research has shown that visual working memory capacity is enhanced for meaningful stimuli (i.e., real-world objects) compared to abstract shapes (i.e., colored circles). Here, we hypothesized that the shape of meaningful objects would be better remembered incidentally than the shape of nonmeaningful objects in a color memory task where the shape of the objects is task-irrelevant. We used a surprise-trial paradigm in which participants performed a color memory task for several trials before being probed with a surprise trial that asked them about the shape of the last object they saw. Across three experiments, we found a memory advantage for recognizable shapes relative to scrambled versions of these shapes (Experiment 1) that was robust across different encoding times (Experiment 2), and the addition of a verbal suppression task (Experiment 3). Interestingly, this advantage disappeared when all objects were from the same category (Experiment 4), suggesting that people are incidentally encoding broad conceptual information about object identities, but not visual details. Finally, when we asked about the location of objects in a surprise trial, we did not observe any difference between the two stimulus types (Experiment 5). Overall, these results show that conceptual information about the categories of meaningful objects is incidentally encoded into working memory even when task-irrelevant. This privilege for meaningful information does not exhibit a trade-off with location memory, suggesting that meaningful features influence representations of visual working memory in higher-level visual regions without altering the use of spatial reference frames at the lower level. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Surprise! Draw the scene: Visual recall reveals poor incidental working memory following visual search in natural scenes.

Searching within natural scenes can induce incidental encoding of information about the scene and the target, particularly when the scene is complex or repeated. However, recent evidence from attribute amnesia (AA) suggests that in some situations, searchers can find a target without building a robust incidental memory of it's task relevant features. Through drawing-based visual recall and an AA search task, we investigated whether search in natural scenes necessitates memory encoding. Participants repeatedly searched for and located an easily detected item in novel scenes for numerous trials before being unexpectedly prompted to draw either the entire scene (Experiment 1) or their search target (Experiment 2) directly after viewing the search image. Naïve raters assessed the similarity of the drawings to the original information. We found that surprise-trial drawings of the scene and search target were both poorly recognizable, but the same drawers produced highly recognizable drawings on the next trial when they had an expectation to draw the image. Experiment 3 further showed that the poor surprise trial memory could not merely be attributed to interference from the surprising event. Our findings suggest that even for searches done in natural scenes, it is possible to locate a target without creating a robust memory of either it or the scene it was in, even if attended to just a few seconds prior. This disconnection between attention and memory might reflect a fundamental property of cognitive computations designed to optimize task performance and minimize resource use.

Attention with or without working memory: mnemonic reselection of attended information.

Attention has been regarded as the 'gatekeeper' controlling what information gets selected into working memory. However, a new perspective has emerged with the discovery of attribute amnesia, a phenomenon revealing that people are frequently unable to report information they have just attended to moments ago. This report failure is thought to stem from a lack of consolidating the attended information into working memory, indicating a dissociation between attention and working memory. Building on these findings, a new concept called memory reselection is proposed to describe a secondary round of selection among the attended information. These discoveries challenge the conventional view of how attention and working memory are related and shed new light onto modeling attention and memory as dissociable processes.

Design and baseline characteristics of the Cognitive and Aerobic Resilience for the Brain (CARB) study.

BACKGROUND: Treatments that delay progression of cognitive impairment in older adults are of great public health significance. This manuscript outlines the protocol, recruitment, baseline characteristics, and retention for a randomized controlled trial of cognitive and aerobic physical training to improve cognition in individuals with subjective cognitive dysfunction, the "Cognitive and Aerobic Resilience for the Brain" (CARB) study. METHODS: Community-dwelling, older adults with self-reported memory loss were randomly assigned to receive either computer-based cognitive training, aerobic physical training, combined cognitive and physical training, or education control. Treatment was delivered 2- to 3-times per week in 45- to 90-min sessions for 12 weeks by trained facilitators videoconferencing into subject's home. Outcome assessments of were taken at the baseline, immediately following training, and 3-months after training. RESULTS: 191 subjects were randomized into the trial (mean age, 75.5 years; 68% female; 20% non-white; mean education, 15.1 years; 30% with 1+ APOE e4 allele). The sample was generally obese, hypertensive, and many were diabetic, while cognition, self-reported mood, and activities of daily living were in the normal range. There was excellent retention throughout the trial. Interventions were completed at high rates, participants found the treatments acceptable and enjoyable, and outcome assessments were completed at high rates. CONCLUSIONS: This study was designed to determine the feasibility of recruiting, intervening, and documenting response to treatment in a population at risk for progressive cognitive decline. Older adults with self-reported memory loss were enrolled in high numbers and were well engaged with the intervention and outcome assessments.

Location has a privilege, but it is limited: Evidence from probing task-irrelevant location.

We investigated the extents of automaticity in location and orientation encoding in visual working memory (VWM) by manipulating their task relevance and assessing the amount of resource recruited by their encoding. Across five experiments, participants were surprised with a location report trial (Experiment 1A, 2A, and 3) or an orientation report trial (Experiment 2A and 2B) at a point when only the item's color had been task-relevant. This was followed by control trials to assess the memory quality of color when location or orientation had become task-relevant. We found the surprise trial performance to be significantly worse than the first control trial for both location and orientation, although to a greater extent for orientation for which there was virtually no measurable information from the subjects' reports. This was the case even when encoding was the only incidental memory process before the control trials (Experiment 2A and 2B), and the surprise memory costs cannot be attributed to the unexpectedness inherent to the surprise question (Experiment 3). The control trials revealed a consistent reduction of color memory only in the orientation experiments. These results suggest that although location encoding is more automatic than orientation, neither is encoded in a fully automatic manner. Our results show that incidentally encoded location is only coarse-grained, constraining the spatial precision of space-based indexing systems. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

What the Flip? What the P-N Flip Can Tell Us about Proactive Suppression.

It has been debated whether salient distractors in visual search can be proactively suppressed to completely prevent attentional capture, as the occurrence of proactive suppression implies that the initial shift of attention is not entirely driven by physical salience. While the presence of a Pd component in the EEG (associated with suppression) without a preceding N2pc component (associated with selection) has been used as evidence for proactive suppression, the link between these ERPs and the underlying mechanisms is not always clear. This is exemplified in two recent articles that observed the same waveform pattern, where an early Pd-like component flipped to a N2pc-like component, but provided vastly different interpretations (Drisdelle, B. L., & Eimer, E. PD components and distractor inhibition in visual search: New evidence for the signal suppression hypothesis. Psychophysiology, 58, e13898, 2021; Kerzel, D., & Burra, N. Capture by context elements, not attentional suppression of distractors, explains the PD with small search displays. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 32, 1170-1183, 2020). Using RAGNAROC (Wyble et al., Understanding visual attention with RAGNAROC: A Reflexive Attention Gradient through Neural AttRactOr Competition. Psychological Review, 127, 1163-1198, 2020), a computational model of reflexive attention, we successfully simulated this ERP pattern with minimal changes to its existing architecture, providing a parsimonious and mechanistic explanation for this flip in the EEG that is unique from both of the previous interpretations. Our account supports the occurrence of proactive suppression and demonstrates the benefits of incorporating computational modeling into theory building.

Differential Involvement of the Locus Coeruleus in Early- and Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease: A Potential Mechanism of Clinical Differences?

Sporadic early-onset Alzheimer's disease (sEOAD) is often associated with atypical clinical features, yet the cause of this heterogeneity remains unclear. This study investigated post-mortem atrophy of the locus coeruleus (LC) in sEOAD and late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD). Levels of LC atrophy, as estimated by pathologist-rating of hypopigmentation, were compared between sEOAD (n = 115) and LOAD (n = 672) participants while controlling for other measures of pathological progression. Subsequent analyses compared low vs. high LC atrophy sEOAD subgroups on neuropsychological test performance. Results show nearly 4 times greater likelihood of higher LC atrophy in sEOAD as compared to LOAD (p < .005). sEOAD participants with greater LC atrophy displayed significantly worse performance on various baseline measures of attentional functioning (p < .05), despite similar global cognition (p = .25). These findings suggest the LC is an important potential driver of clinical and pathological heterogeneity in sEOAD.

And like that, they were gone: A failure to remember recently attended unique faces.

Attribute amnesia (AA) is a phenomenon in which participants have difficulty answering an unexpected question about an attended attribute of the most recent target stimulus. A similar situation can occur in cases of real-life eyewitness identification when the eyewitness did not explicitly try to remember the alleged perpetrator's face despite having attended to it. We found that AA is generalizable to novel faces, such that when participants were unexpectedly asked to identify a face, performance was poor, even though they had just attended to that face seconds ago (N = 40 each in an initial experiment and its replication). This finding shows that unexpected face identification is inaccurate even when the face had just been attended to and suffered minimal decay and interference, implying that AA can explain some cases of failure of eyewitness identification that cannot be attributed to a lack of attention or post-event interference.

Differential Involvement of the Locus Coeruleus in Early- and Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease: A Potential Mechanism of Clinical Differences?

Early-onset Alzheimer's disease (EOAD) has been associated with an increased likelihood of atypical clinical manifestations such as attentional impairment, yet the cause of this heterogeneity remains unclear. The locus coeruleus (LC) is implicated early in Alzheimer's disease pathology and is associated with attentional functioning. This study investigated post-mortem atrophy of the LC in EOAD and late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) in a large, well-characterized sample. Results show nearly four times greater likelihood of higher LC atrophy in EOAD as compared to LOAD after controlling for other measures of pathological progression ( p < .005). Follow-up analyses within the EOAD group revealed that compared to those who displayed mild or no LC atrophy at autopsy, those with moderate-severe atrophy of the LC displayed significantly worse performance on various baseline measures of attentional functioning ( p < .05), despite similar overall cognition ( p = .25). These findings suggest the LC is an important potential driver of clinical and pathological heterogeneity in EOAD.

Effectiveness of a video-based aging services technology education program for health care professionals.

Health care professionals (HCPs) are a critical source of recommendations for older adults. Aging services technologies (ASTs), which include devices to support the health-care needs of older adults, are underutilized despite evidence for improving functional outcomes and safety and reducing caregiver burden and health costs. This study evaluated a video-based educational program aimed at improving HCP awareness of ASTs. Sixty-five HCPs viewed AST videos related to medication management, daily living, and memory. Following the program, participants' objective and perceived AST knowledge improved, as did self-efficacy and anticipated AST engagement. About 95% of participants stated they were more likely to recommend ASTs postprogram. Participants benefitted equally regardless of years of experience or previous AST familiarity. Furthermore, change in self-efficacy and perceived knowledge were significant predictors of engagement change. Overall, the educational program was effective in improving HCPs' awareness of ASTs and appeared to benefit all participants regardless of experience and prior knowledge.

A caregiver educational program: A video program to promote aging services technologies awareness.

Research demonstrated that aging services technologies (ASTs) can reduce caregiver burden. However, ASTs are underutilized by caregivers due to poor awareness. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a video-based educational program to increase caregiver AST knowledge among 43 caregivers. Paired sample t-tests showed positive change in AST knowledge, stigma, and intention to engage in AST activities post-program. Caregivers endorsed highly positive AST views pre- and post-program without statistically significant change. Group by time repeated measures ANOVAs showed younger caregivers (<65 years old) had better knowledge and were more open to ASTs (improved attitude and stigma scores) than older caregivers (>65 years old). A significant interaction revealed caregivers of individuals who had fewer, but not more, domains of functional limitation reported a positive change in AST attitude post-program. The video program appeared to be beneficial to all caregivers, who provided vastly positive program feedback.

Verbal fluency in a national sample: Telephone administration methods.

OBJECTIVES: Describe novel methods for ascertaining verbal fluency in a large national sample of adults, examine demographic factors influencing performance, and compare scores to studies using in-person assessment. METHODS/DESIGN: Participants were from the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study, a national, population-based, longitudinal study of stroke in adults aged 45 years and older. Letter and semantic fluency were gathered, using Letter "F" and Animal Naming, via a telephone-based assessment with computer-assisted scoring of digital recordings. RESULTS: Initial letter and semantic fluency scores were obtained on 18 505 and 18 072 participants, respectively. For both fluency tests, scores were normally distributed. Younger age and more years of education were associated with better performances (p < 0.0001). The mean and standard deviation for matched subgroups, based on age, gender, and education, were quite comparable with scores reported out of samples using an in-person administration format. Telephone-based assessment also allowed for a level of quality control not available via in-person measurement. CONCLUSIONS: Telephone-based assessment of verbal fluency and computer-assisted scoring programs designed for this study facilitated large-scale data acquisition, storage, and scoring of protocols. The resulting scores have similar characteristics to those obtained by traditional methods. These findings extend validation of cognitive assessment methods, using survey research staff and computer-assisted technology for test administration.

An educational video program to increase aging services technology awareness among older adults.

OBJECTIVE: Aging services technologies (ASTs), health technology that meets the needs of seniors, are being underutilized due to a lack of awareness. This study evaluated a video-based educational program to increase AST awareness. METHODS: Two hundred and thirty-one older adults completed AST measures pre- and post-program. RESULTS: Participants endorsed significantly improved AST knowledge and attitude and a lower level of perceived stigma post-program. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that a greater reduction in stigma post-program and a higher number of physical/cognitive needs supported by ASTs at baseline were significant predictors of a greater increase in expressed intention to use ASTs following the video program. Furthermore, individuals living in their own homes, with a lower level of education, fewer physical and/or cognitive needs supported by ASTs at baseline, and greater functional limitations were found to be more likely to report a significant reduction in perceived stigma post-program. Four-week follow-up data from 75 individuals showed stable program gains. Program feedback was positive. CONCLUSION: The current findings provide support for the utility of the AST videos. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The educational materials used in this study can be used clinically or for public health education to increase awareness and adoption of ASTs.

The role of processing speed in the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test - revised.

The Brief Visuospatial Memory Test - Revised (BVMT-R) is a commonly used, commercialized, assessment tool to measure visuospatial learning and memory abilities across research and clinical settings. In this study we evaluated the influence of processing speed and executive functioning on BVMT-R learning, memory, and percent retention scores. A total of 141 cognitively healthy older adults completed the BVMT-R along with measures of visuoconstructional abilities (BVMT-R copy), speeded processing (Symbol Digit Modalities Test-oral), and executive function (FAS). After controlling for age and visuoconstructional abilities, hierarchical regression models showed that the processing speed measure was a unique predictor of both BVMT-R learning and memory performances, while the executive function measure was not. The visuoconstructional measure was the only unique predictor of BVMT-R percent retention. The findings suggest that, when interpreting the BVMT-R learning and memory scores of patients who exhibit speeded processing deficits, the impact of slowed processing speed on performance should be considered.

Event-based prospective memory and everyday forgetting in healthy older adults and individuals with mild cognitive impairment.

An event-based nonfocal task was used to evaluate prospective memory (PM) and the relationship between PM, neuropsychological testing data, and everyday forgetting. Twenty-four participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 24 age- and education-matched cognitively healthy adults responded to a nonfocal PM cue, while completing an ongoing working memory task. Neuropsychological testing data and self- and informant-report of frequency of forgetting were also gathered. Compared to healthy adults, the MCI participants exhibited significantly poorer prospective remembering and ongoing task performance, despite similar self-reported effort directed to the PM task. Both self- and informant-report indicated that the MCI group was experiencing a higher frequency of everyday forgetting than the healthy adult group. Self-report of everyday forgetting was correlated with PM task performance for the healthy adults, but not for the MCI participants. For the healthy adults, correlational analyses also showed significant relationships between PM accuracy and tests of memory and executive functioning, suggesting that both spontaneous retrieval processes and effortful, strategic monitoring may be important in supporting prospective remembering for this nonfocal PM task. The stronger relationships between PM accuracy and memory and language tests for the MCI group suggest that their poorer event-based prospective remembering might be linked to impaired spontaneous retrieval processes, which are thought to be supported by medial temporal structures.

On the time course of accessing meaning in a second language: an electrophysiological and behavioral investigation of translation recognition.

In 2 experiments, relatively proficient Chinese-English bilinguals decided whether Chinese words were the correct translations of English words. Critical trials were those on which incorrect translations were related in lexical form or meaning to the correct translation. In Experiment 1, behavioral interference was revealed for both distractor types, but event-related potentials (ERPs) revealed a different time course for the 2 conditions. Semantic distractors elicited effects primarily on the N400 and late positive component (LPC), with a smaller N400 and a smaller LPC over the posterior scalp but a larger LPC over the anterior scalp relative to unrelated controls. In contrast, translation form distractors elicited a larger P200 and a larger LPC than did unrelated controls. To determine whether the translation form effects were enabled by the relatively long, 750-ms stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA) between words, a 2nd ERP experiment was conducted using a shorter, 300-ms, SOA. The behavioral results revealed interference for both types of distractors, but the ERPs again revealed different loci for the 2 effects. Taken together, the data suggest that proficient bilinguals activate 1st-language translations of words in the 2nd language after they have accessed the meaning of those words. The implications of this pattern for claims about the nature of cross-language activation when bilinguals read in 1 or both languages are discussed.