Age-related changes in duration reproduction: involvement of working memory processes

Brain Cogn. 2006 Oct;62(1):17-23. doi: 10.1016/j.bandc.2006.03.003. Epub 2006 May 12.

Abstract

The aim of the present research was to study age-related changes in duration reproduction by differentiating the working memory processes underlying this time estimation task. We compared performances of young and elderly adults in a duration reproduction task performed in simple and concurrent task conditions. Participants were also administered working memory tests to measure storage and central executive functions. Findings indicated a differential involvement of working memory storage and central executive functions in age-related differences in temporal tasks. The limited storage capacities explained age-related changes in the simple task of duration reproduction, and the dysfunctioning of central executive functions accounted for age-related changes in duration reproduction performed in a concurrent task condition, which involves greater attentional resources.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aging / physiology*
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Attention / physiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Imitative Behavior / physiology
  • Male
  • Memory, Short-Term / physiology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Reference Values
  • Time Perception / physiology*
  • Verbal Learning / physiology