Dual Mechanisms of Control in Cognitive and Motor Aging

认知和运动衰老的双重控制机制

• 批准号: RGPIN-2016-06662
• 负责人: Li, Karen
• 金额: $ 2.26万
• 依托单位: Concordia University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2016
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2016-01-01 至 2017-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=616444
• 关键词: Dual; Mechanisms; Control; Cognitive; Motor

Executive functions (EFs) encompass a variety of cognitive control processes implicated in complex activities such as multitasking and coordinated action. As such, EFs can influence the success or failure of activities of daily living in old age. The Dual Mechanisms of Control (DMC) theory (Braver et al., 2007) postulates two modes of cognitive control. In the Proactive mode, goal-relevant information is actively maintained in working memory, biasing attention to prevent interference. In the Reactive mode, when no task-relevant cues are available, control is recruited on a just-in-time basis. The DMC framework assumes that whereas reactive control is maintained in old age, proactive control declines. Presently, support for these assumptions is largely based upon simple keyboard reaction time tasks (AX-CPT, Stroop, Flanker). Given the ubiquity and importance of cognitive control in complex task performance, a logical next step is to test the DMC model in tasks that better approximate everyday activities. The major objective of the proposed research program is, therefore, to examine the DMC theory and its applications across a range of cognitive, visuo-manual, and gross motor EF paradigms. Using my currently held NSERC funds, my lab has examined the role of EFs in a broad variety of cognitive and motor paradigms (updating, task switching, motor dual tasking), in young and older adults. To date, we have tested the assumptions of the DMC framework only in a cognitive context. We therefore aim to adapt our existing visual-manual and postural control paradigms to systematically vary the proactive and reactive control demands in these new contexts. We anticipate that young adults will flexibly deploy reactive and proactive control. In contrast, older adults will employ reactive control, and their task performance will suffer when only proactive control can be used. Together, the planned research is expected to advance current understanding of DMC theory and map out the limits of its applicability across a broader range of EF contexts. Evaluation of the DMC principles in the domains of fine and gross motor control is entirely novel. Identifying contexts in which declining proactive control puts elders at risk will inform the design of training protocols and assistive devices to improve the everyday functioning of older adults.

执行功能（EF）包括涉及复杂活动（如多任务处理和协调行动）的各种认知控制过程。因此，EF可以影响老年人日常生活活动的成败。双重控制机制（DMC）理论（Braver等人，2007）假设了两种认知控制模式。在主动模式下，与目标相关的信息被主动保存在工作记忆中，使注意力偏向以防止干扰。在反应模式下，当没有任务相关的线索可用时，控制是在及时的基础上招募的。DMC框架假设，而反应控制是保持在老年，主动控制下降。目前，支持这些假设主要是基于简单的键盘反应时间任务（AX-CPT，Stroop，Flanker）。考虑到认知控制在复杂任务执行中的普遍性和重要性，合乎逻辑的下一步是在更接近日常活动的任务中测试DMC模型。因此，建议的研究计划的主要目标是，在一系列的认知，视觉手动，和大电机EF范例检查DMC理论及其应用。 利用我目前持有的NSERC基金，我的实验室研究了EFs在年轻人和老年人的各种认知和运动范式（更新，任务切换，运动双重任务）中的作用。到目前为止，我们已经测试了DMC框架的假设，只有在认知环境。因此，我们的目标是适应我们现有的视觉手动和姿势控制范式，系统地改变主动和被动控制的要求，在这些新的背景下。我们预计，年轻人将灵活地部署反应和主动控制。相比之下，老年人会采用反应控制，当只能使用主动控制时，他们的任务表现会受到影响。 总之，计划中的研究预计将推进目前对DMC理论的理解，并在更广泛的EF背景下绘制出其适用性的限制。在精细和粗大运动控制领域中评价DMC原则是完全新颖的。识别的情况下，主动控制下降，使老年人处于危险之中，将告知培训协议和辅助设备的设计，以改善老年人的日常功能。