Alpha Oscillations Are Causally Linked to Inhibitory Abilities in Ageing

摘要: Aging adults typically show reduced ability to ignore task-irrelevant information, an essential skill for optimal performance in many cognitive operations, including those requiring working memory (WM) resources. In a first experiment, young and elderly human participants of both genders performed established WM paradigm probing inhibitory abilities by means valid, invalid, neutral retro-cues. Elderly showed overall cost, especially performing invalid trials, whereas younger participants' general was comparatively higher, as expected.Inhibitory have been linked alpha brain oscillations but it is yet unknown whether aging these (also impoverished) are causally linked. To probe this possible causal link aging, we compared second experiment parietal alpha-transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) with either no (Sham) or two control frequencies (theta- gamma-tACS) the group while same paradigm. Alpha- (but not theta- gamma-) tACS selectively significantly improved (now comparable adults' experiment), particularly cues where initially highest costs. Alpha therefore frequency-tuned alpha-tACS interventions can change elderly.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Ignoring associated rhythmic activity frequency band, fundamental performance. Indeed, impoverished contribute age-related decline functions like (WM), capacity briefly hold information mind. Whether unknown. We experimentally manipulated using transcranial (tACS), combined retro-cue assessing inhibition. found that induced significant improvement target responses misbinding errors, indexes concluded abilities, despite being impoverished, still malleable.