The effects of age and ability on cortical activation during visual processing

It is well known that the aging process is accompanied by many changes including loss of cortical tissue and reduction in functional asymmetry. In recent years, the affects of ability on cortical activation for memory tasks has been investigated. As a replication and extension of Park et al. (2004), the present study examines the impact of age and ability on cortical activation during visual processing. fMRI was used to determine cortical regions that were significantly activated as the subjects viewed faces, pseudowords, houses, and chairs. Results revealed consistent activation of prefrontal regions by the superior subjects for all stimuli, with the exception of chairs for old superior visual processors. Additionally, the old average visual processor had significant activation of the fusiform gyrus for all stimuli. Results are discussed in terms of the dedifferentiation and compensation view as well as implications for future research regarding the impact of ability on cortical activation.