Investigating differential cognitive aging with eye movement

doi:10.3724/SP.J.1042.2024.01408

Abstract

Abstract: Cognitive decline with aging places significant economic and psychological burden on the elderly, their families, and society. Promoting healthy and successful aging is a critical issue for governments and science. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have highlighted the observation that cognitive changes in the elderly, referred to as cognitive aging, are heterogeneous. This heterogeneity is characterized not only by cognitive decline, but also by the enhancement of top-down processing, which is adaptive or compensatory. Understanding these patterns is crucial for developing strategies to promote successful aging. Our research aims to explore the mechanisms of cognitive enhancement during aging and the patterns of differential aging by examining the enhancement of top-down processing in healthy elderly individuals. By revealing how top-down processing can be enhanced and how the degree of this enhancement varies, our research seeks to provide a theoretical foundation for using cognitive enhancement as a means to promote successful aging.
Our research comprises three studies, each designed to investigate different aspects of cognitive enhancement and aging. Study 1 will use the classic saccade learning paradigm known as the "double-step" paradigm. This paradigm will be employed to separate the manifestations of cognitive enhancement from those of cognitive decline within saccade learning. The goal is to uncover the mechanisms that underpin the enhancement of top-down processing in the elderly. By differentiating between cognitive decline and enhancement, Study 1 will shed light on the specific processes that contribute to maintained or improved cognitive function in the elderly.
Study 2 will focus on the dynamic integration of top-down and bottom-up processing in saccades. This will be achieved by manipulating the influence of top-down processing through rewards and punishments and manipulating the influence of bottom-up processing through the saliency of targets. By examining how top-down processing in saccadic movements can be modulated by value, we will investigate how different processing strategies affect decision-making. Specifically, we will look at the dependency of decision-making on reaction time, providing insights into the general conditions under which cognitive enhancement occurs. This sub-study aims to reveal how elderly individuals adapt their cognitive strategies in response to different incentives and task demands.
Study 3 will use natural scene images as experimental stimuli to investigate how different types of processing and their interactions change with age. This will involve manipulating top-down processing (such as the consistency between the target and the scene) and bottom-up processing (such as the saliency of the target stimuli). By examining the interplay between these types of processing across different age groups, this study will reveal how cognitive enhancement varies with the ecological validity of scenes. It will provide a comprehensive understanding of how aging affects cognitive processing in more complex and realistic settings.
The foundation of our research is based on the observation that elderly individuals perform comparably to younger individuals in most saccadic tasks. By using saccadic movements, which are closely related to cognitive functions, as a technical means, our research aims to investigate the mechanisms underlying differential cognitive aging. In particular, we focus on the mechanisms of cognitive enhancement in aging. Our research will differentiate between enhanced and declined cognitive functions in aging and examine how enhanced cognition varies with different tasks and scenarios. By elucidating the mechanisms of cognitive enhancement and the conditions under which it occurs, our research aims to provide valuable insights for promoting successful aging. Understanding these mechanisms will enable the development of targeted interventions that can leverage cognitive enhancement to mitigate the effects of cognitive decline. This, in turn, can reduce the economic and psychological burden associated with aging, thereby contributing to a healthier and more successful aging processes.
In summary, this study seeks to advance the understanding of cognitive aging by focusing on the enhancement of top-down processing in the elderly. Through three carefully designed studies, we will explore the mechanisms, conditions, and patterns of cognitive enhancement, providing a robust theoretical basis for future research and interventions aimed at promoting successful aging.

Key words: cognitive aging, successful aging, cognitive enhancement, top-down control

CLC Number:

B844

HUANG Jing, LIU Licong, LI Mingyu, LONG Yiming, LI Xiaoli. Investigating differential cognitive aging with eye movement[J]. Advances in Psychological Science, 2024, 32(9): 1408-1415.

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