The effect of interference on temporal order memory for random and fixed sequences in nondemented older adults

Abstract

Two experiments tested the effect of temporal interference on order memory for fixed and random sequences in young adults and nondemented older adults. The results demonstrate that temporal order memory for fixed and random sequences is impaired in nondemented older adults, particularly when temporal interference is high. However, temporal order memory for fixed sequences is comparable between older adults and young adults when temporal interference is minimized. The results suggest that temporal order memory is less efficient and more susceptible to interference in older adults, possibly due to impaired temporal pattern separation.

Figure 1.

A schematic of a sample-phase temporal sequence showing locations of the first through the eighth arms presented in a sequence (A) and a choice phase (B) consisting of a 6-temporal separation lag trial, a 2-temporal separation lag trial, and a 0-temporal separation lag trial.

Figure 2.

Mean (±SE) percent correct performance of young and older adults on the random (top) and fixed (bottom) sequence temporal order memory task as a function of temporal separation lag (0, 2, 4, 6).