Thesis Presentation 2014 Final

IntroductionIntroduction• Investigate the impacts of aging on the

anterior cingulate cortex

• Determine age differences in ACC activation through EEG collection during a modified Stroop task and ICA

• Predicted that the grand average ERPs, ERSP, and GFA for the ACC IC would differ between younger and older adults

Anterior Cingulate CortexAnterior Cingulate Cortex

• Medial-frontal lobe

• Executive functions,emotion, and physiology

• Relation to research

Literature ReviewLiterature Review• Mager et al. (2007) - Age-related changes in

cognitive conflict processing: An event-related potential study

• Mathewson et al. (2008) - Aging and electrocortical response to error feedback during a spatial learning task

• West (2004) – The effects of aging on controlled attention and conflict processing in the Stroop task

MethodsMethods

ACC Component ACC Component ClassificationClassification

ACC TopographiesACC Topographies

Grand Average ERP Grand Average ERP ComparisonComparison

ACC Component ERSP Z-ACC Component ERSP Z-ScoresScores

ACC Component ERSP Z-ACC Component ERSP Z-ScoresScores

ACC Component Power ACC Component Power DifferenceDifference

Global Field AmplitudeGlobal Field Amplitude

GFA Z-Scores and Group GFA Z-Scores and Group DifferenceDifference

Group Time (ms) Z-score

Younger 74.22 -3.905

Older 91.80 1.310

Difference 72.27 -6.721

Summary & DiscussionSummary & Discussion• ACC component responded differently

to making correct responses versus errors, and differed between groups

• Power and global field amplitude generated by the ACC component was significantly greater in younger adults

• Suggests that the ACC component produces less and more diffuse electrical activity with advancing age

Future DirectionsFuture Directions• Applying the ICA approach to the Memory,

Super Memory, and monetary incentive components of the modified Stroop task

• Compare the results of the ACC component to performance and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) data

• Engaging the ACC through alternative modalities