ABSTRACT

Learning results from online (within-session) and offline (between-sessions) changes. Heterogeneity of age-related effects in learning may be ascribed to aging differentially affecting these two processes. We investigated the contribution of online and offline consolidation in visuo-spatial working memory (vWM). Younger and older participants performed a vWM task on day one and after nine days, allowing us to disentangle online and offline learning effects. To test whether offline consolidation needs continuous practice, two additional groups of younger and older adults performed the same vWM task in between the two assessments. Similarly to other cognitive domains, older adults improved vWM through online (during session one) but not through offline learning. Practice was necessary to improve vWM between sessions in older participants. Younger adults instead exhibited only offline improvement, regardless of practice. The findings suggest that while online learning remains efficient in aging, practice is instead required to support more fragile offline mechanisms.

摘要

在线（会话内）和离线（会话间）变化的学习结果。学习中与年龄相关的影响的异质性可能归因于年龄对这两个过程的不同影响。我们调查了在线和离线整合对视觉空间工作记忆 (vWM) 的贡献。年轻和年长的参与者在第一天和九天后执行 vWM 任务，使我们能够理清在线和离线学习效果。为了测试离线整合是否需要持续练习，另外两组年轻人和老年人在两次评估之间执行了相同的 vWM 任务。与其他认知领域类似，老年人通过在线（在第一节课期间）而不是通过离线学习提高了 vWM。实践对于提高老年参与者会话之间的 vWM 是必要的。相反，年轻人只表现出线下改善，而不管练习如何。研究结果表明，虽然在线学习在老化过程中仍然有效，但需要实践来支持更脆弱的离线机制。