Be prepared for interruptions: EEG correlates of anticipation when dealing with task interruptions and the role of aging
Abstract Dealing with task interruptions requires the flexible use of working memory and attentional control mechanisms, which are prone to age-related changes. We investigated effects of age on dealing with task interruptions and potential advantages of anticipating an interruption using EEG and a...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-56400-y |
| _version_ | 1827321444939333632 |
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| author | Soner Ülkü Stephan Getzmann Edmund Wascher Daniel Schneider |
| author_facet | Soner Ülkü Stephan Getzmann Edmund Wascher Daniel Schneider |
| author_sort | Soner Ülkü |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Dealing with task interruptions requires the flexible use of working memory and attentional control mechanisms, which are prone to age-related changes. We investigated effects of age on dealing with task interruptions and potential advantages of anticipating an interruption using EEG and a retrospective cueing (retro-cue) paradigm. Thirty-two young (18–30 years) and 28 older (55–70 years) participants performed a visual working memory task, where they had to report the orientation of a target following a retro-cue. Within blocks of 10 trials, they were always, never, or randomly interrupted with an arithmetic task before the onset of the retro-cue. The interruption-induced decline in primary task performance was more pronounced in older participants, while only these benefited from anticipation. The EEG analysis revealed reduced theta and alpha/beta response to the retro-cue following interruptions, especially for the older participants. In both groups, anticipated interruptions were associated with increased theta and alpha/beta power prior and during the interruption, and stronger beta suppression to the retro-cue. The results indicate that interruptions impede the refocusing of attention on the task-relevant representation of the primary task, especially in older people, while anticipation facilitates preparation for the interruption task and resumption of the primary task. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-25T01:07:20Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a4098ec8209c48c782468227514f7756 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-25T01:07:20Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-a4098ec8209c48c782468227514f77562024-03-10T12:11:30ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222024-03-0114111610.1038/s41598-024-56400-yBe prepared for interruptions: EEG correlates of anticipation when dealing with task interruptions and the role of agingSoner Ülkü0Stephan Getzmann1Edmund Wascher2Daniel Schneider3Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo)Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo)Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo)Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo)Abstract Dealing with task interruptions requires the flexible use of working memory and attentional control mechanisms, which are prone to age-related changes. We investigated effects of age on dealing with task interruptions and potential advantages of anticipating an interruption using EEG and a retrospective cueing (retro-cue) paradigm. Thirty-two young (18–30 years) and 28 older (55–70 years) participants performed a visual working memory task, where they had to report the orientation of a target following a retro-cue. Within blocks of 10 trials, they were always, never, or randomly interrupted with an arithmetic task before the onset of the retro-cue. The interruption-induced decline in primary task performance was more pronounced in older participants, while only these benefited from anticipation. The EEG analysis revealed reduced theta and alpha/beta response to the retro-cue following interruptions, especially for the older participants. In both groups, anticipated interruptions were associated with increased theta and alpha/beta power prior and during the interruption, and stronger beta suppression to the retro-cue. The results indicate that interruptions impede the refocusing of attention on the task-relevant representation of the primary task, especially in older people, while anticipation facilitates preparation for the interruption task and resumption of the primary task.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-56400-yTask interruptionsWorking memorySelective attentionEEGAgingAnticipation |
| spellingShingle | Soner Ülkü Stephan Getzmann Edmund Wascher Daniel Schneider Be prepared for interruptions: EEG correlates of anticipation when dealing with task interruptions and the role of aging Scientific Reports Task interruptions Working memory Selective attention EEG Aging Anticipation |
| title | Be prepared for interruptions: EEG correlates of anticipation when dealing with task interruptions and the role of aging |
| title_full | Be prepared for interruptions: EEG correlates of anticipation when dealing with task interruptions and the role of aging |
| title_fullStr | Be prepared for interruptions: EEG correlates of anticipation when dealing with task interruptions and the role of aging |
| title_full_unstemmed | Be prepared for interruptions: EEG correlates of anticipation when dealing with task interruptions and the role of aging |
| title_short | Be prepared for interruptions: EEG correlates of anticipation when dealing with task interruptions and the role of aging |
| title_sort | be prepared for interruptions eeg correlates of anticipation when dealing with task interruptions and the role of aging |
| topic | Task interruptions Working memory Selective attention EEG Aging Anticipation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-56400-y |
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