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Auditory attentional load modulates the temporal dynamics of audiovisual integration in older adults: An ERPs study

Authors :
Weiping Yang
Shengnan Li
Ao Guo
Zimo Li
Xiangfu Yang
Yanna Ren
Jiajia Yang
Jinglong Wu
Zhilin Zhang
Source :
Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, Vol 14 (2022)
Publication Year :
2022
Publisher :
Frontiers Media S.A., 2022.

Abstract

As older adults experience degenerations in perceptual ability, it is important to gain perception from audiovisual integration. Due to attending to one or more auditory stimuli, performing other tasks is a common challenge for older adults in everyday life. Therefore, it is necessary to probe the effects of auditory attentional load on audiovisual integration in older adults. The present study used event-related potentials (ERPs) and a dual-task paradigm [Go / No-go task + rapid serial auditory presentation (RSAP) task] to investigate the temporal dynamics of audiovisual integration. Behavioral results showed that both older and younger adults responded faster and with higher accuracy to audiovisual stimuli than to either visual or auditory stimuli alone. ERPs revealed weaker audiovisual integration under the no-attentional auditory load condition at the earlier processing stages and, conversely, stronger integration in the late stages. Moreover, audiovisual integration was greater in older adults than in younger adults at the following time intervals: 60–90, 140–210, and 430–530 ms. Notably, only under the low load condition in the time interval of 140–210 ms, we did find that the audiovisual integration of older adults was significantly greater than that of younger adults. These results delineate the temporal dynamics of the interactions with auditory attentional load and audiovisual integration in aging, suggesting that modulation of auditory attentional load affects audiovisual integration, enhancing it in older adults.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
16634365
Volume :
14
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.b198b1dd36cb4264a531206fe1b3053b
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2022.1007954