[Effect of aging on attention to the lateral visual field: The use of a visual statistical learning paradigm].

Abstract

We investigated characteristics of spatial attentional bias in the elderly with the use of a visual statistical learning paradigm. Triplets consisting of pictures that appeared in the same consecutive order were simultaneously presented to the left (LVF) and right visual-field (RVF) across a center fixation point. In the learning phase, both younger (N = 40) and older (N = 40) adults were instructed to attend to either the LVF or RVF and to perform a 1-back task on the visual-field. The test phase was conducted immediately after the learning phase. Implicit memory for the sequential order of the triplets was tested using a speed detection task. Younger adults showed visual statistical learning for both the attended and unattended triplets. The elderly who directed attention towards the LVF showed visual statistical learning not for the attended triplets presented in the LVF, but rather the unattended triplets presented in the RVF. These findings suggest that the elderly show a stronger visuospatial attention bias to the right visual-field, with a decline in executive function compared to younger adults.