A computational account of altered error processing in older age: dopamine and the error-related negativity.

Full Abstract

When participants commit errors or receive feedback signaling that they have made an error, a negative brain potential is elicited. According to Holroyd and Coles's (in press) neurocomputational model of error processing, this error-related negativity (ERN) is elicited when the brain first detects that the consequences of an action are worse than expected. To study age-related changes in error processing, we obtained performance and ERN measures of younger and high-functioning older adults. Experiment 1 demonstrated reduced ERN amplitudes in older adults in the context of otherwise intact brain potentials. This result could not be attributed to uncertainty about the required response in older adults. Experiment 2 revealed impaired performance and reduced response- and feedback-related ERNs of older adults in a probabilistic learning task. These age changes could be simulated by manipulation of a single parameter of the neurocomputational model, this manipulation corresponding to weakened phasic activity of the mesencephalic dopamine system.

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Author information

Author/s: Nieuwenhuis, Sander (S); Ridderinkhof, K Richard (KR); Talsma, Durk (D); Coles, Michael G H (MG); Holroyd, Clay B (CB); Kok, Albert (A); van der Molen, Maurits W (MW);

Affiliation: University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. stn20(-atsign-)dds.nl

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Cognitive, affective & behavioral neuroscience (Cogn Affect Behav Neurosci), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-Mar; vol 2 (issue 1) : pp 19-36

Dates: Created 2002/11/27; Completed 2003/01/13; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 12452582, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent
Adult
Age Factors
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Analysis of Variance
Dopamine - physiology
Electroencephalography
Evoked Potentials - physiology

Female
Humans
Middle Aged
Models, Neurological
Neuropsychological Tests
Probability Learning
Psychomotor Performance - physiology
Reaction Time
Reinforcement (Psychology)

Associated Chemicals: Dopamine (51-61-6)

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