Authors: Giuliano Fontani Leda Lodi Andrea Felici Fausto Corradeschi Concetta Lupo
Publish Date: 2004/05/08
Volume: 92, Issue: 4-5, Pages: 452-461
Abstract
The differences in attentional style among subjects of different ages and the influence of emotionality on the attentional components were studied for a limited experimental period Variation in the hormonal data and its relation to behavioural parameters were also evaluated The subjects enrolled in the study were divided into four age groups A 18–29 B 30–45 C 46–59 D 60–77 years The attentional tests involved different types of attention alert go/nogo divided attention and working memory Emotionality was assessed on the basis of skin conductance heart rate and frontalis muscle tone Testosterone T free testosterone fT nonspecifically bound testosterone NST sex hormone binding globulin sHBG oestradiol cortisol and adrenocorticotrophic hormone were determined in the plasma The data were analysed to identify endocrine and behavioural differences related to sex and age The results showed an influence of age on reaction time RT and RT variability This was particularly evident for groups C and D with respect to A in the simple alert and complex RT tests go/nogo and working memory Divided attention with the highest RT showed a clear distinction between group A and the other groups The difference in frontalis electromyography EMG test vs control increased with age while the autonomic responses skin conductance and heart rate did not vary In most attentional tests the agerelated reduction of RT was associated with increased T fT and NST and decreased cortisol
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