Effect of Cardiac Feedback on Cognition

What is this Study about?

This study aims to examine what affects signals from the body to the brain, our awareness of those signals, and the role of a critical region of the brain (the perirhinal cortex) in receiving those signals. The information gathered from this study will help us understand how these processes may be used to detect changes in cognition with age.

What Will Happen in This Study?

Participation involves 2 sessions, each lasting 2 hours on separate days. The first session includes paper-and-pencil tasks assessing thinking abilities like language, visual-spatial skills, and problem-solving. The second session includes heart rate perception tasks, questionnaires, and a computerized visual test. During this test, sensors will monitor your heart rate, respiration, pulse, skin conductance, and brain activity using an electroencephalogram. You will receive $60 for participating, and transit/parking fees will be covered.

Who is Eligible to Participate in this Study?

- You are between the ages of 18-30 or 60-85

- Free from conditions (other than amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI)) which affect cognition or cardiac health

- Fluent in the English language

- Have normal or corrected-to-normal vision

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