Self-initiated learning reveals memory performance and electrophysiological differences between younger, older and older adults with relative memory impairment.

Older adults display difficulties in encoding and retrieval of information, resulting in poorer memory. This may be due to an inability of older adults to engage elaborative encoding strategies during learning. This study examined behavioural and electrophysiological effects of explicit cues to self-initiate learning during encoding and subsequent recognition of words in younger adults (YA), older control adults (OA) and older adults with relative memory impairment (OD).

Distributed Cortical Phase Synchronization in the EEG Reveals Parallel Attention and Working Memory Processes Involved in the Attentional Blink.

Attentional blink (AB) describes a visuo-perceptual phenomenon in which the second of 2 targets within a rapid serial visual presentation stream is not detected. There are several cognitive models attempting to explain the fundamentals of this information processing bottleneck. Here, we used electroencephalographic recordings and the analysis of interregional phase synchronization of rhythmical brain activity to investigate the neural bases of the AB.

Behavioural and electrophysiological effects of visual paired associate context manipulations during encoding and recognition in younger adults, older adults and older cognitively declined adults.

The current study examined the EEG of young, old and old declined adults performing a visual paired associate task. In order to examine the effects of encoding context and stimulus repetition, target pairs were presented on either detailed or white backgrounds and were repeatedly presented during both early and late phases of encoding. Results indicated an increase in P300 amplitude in the right parietal cortex from early to late stages of encoding in older declined adults, whereas both younger adults and older controls showed a reduction in P300 amplitude in this same area from early to late phase encoding.

Effects of dietary caffeine on EEG, performance and mood when rested and sleep restricted.

Rationale: Until recently, little account had been taken of the confounding effects of caffeine withdrawal and withdrawal reversal when examining the net effects of dietary caffeine.

Objectives: By including a manipulation involving sleep restriction, the present study aimed to extend recent findings from research in which caffeine withdrawal and withdrawal reversal were controlled. The main aims of the study were to examine the net effects of caffeine, as well as its potential restorative effects following sleep restriction, on EEG, performance and mood.

Effects of dietary caffeine on topographic EEG after controlling for withdrawal and withdrawal reversal.

Background/aims: Despite several decades of research into the effects of caffeine on EEG, few consistent findings have emerged. Notwithstanding the likelihood that differences in methodology may explain some of the inconsistency, confidence in the published findings is undermined by the failure in previous studies to control for the effects of caffeine withdrawal and withdrawal reversal.

Methods: Participants (n = 22) alternated weekly between ingesting placebo and caffeine (1.

Caffeine, sleep and wakefulness: implications of new understanding about withdrawal reversal.

The broad aim of this review is to critically examine the implications of new understanding concerning caffeine withdrawal and withdrawal reversal in the context of research concerned with the effects of caffeine on sleep and wakefulness. A comprehensive search was conducted for relevant experimental studies in the PubMED and PsycINFO databases. Studies were assessed with particular reference to methodological adequacy for controlling against confounding due to caffeine withdrawal and withdrawal reversal.