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Differential Contributions of Executive and Episodic Memory Functions to Problem Solving in Younger and Older Adults

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2013

Susan Vandermorris ,
Signy Sheldon ,
Gordon Winocur  and
Morris Moscovitch
Susan Vandermorris*
Affiliation:
Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest, Toronto, Canada Neuropsychology and Cognitive Health Program, Baycrest, Toronto, Canada Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Canada
Signy Sheldon
Affiliation:
Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest, Toronto, Canada Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Canada
Gordon Winocur
Affiliation:
Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest, Toronto, Canada Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Canada Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Canada Department of Psychology, Trent University, Peterborough, Canada
Morris Moscovitch
Affiliation:
Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest, Toronto, Canada Neuropsychology and Cognitive Health Program, Baycrest, Toronto, Canada Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Canada
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to: Susan Vandermorris, Neuropsychology and Cognitive Health, Baycrest, 3560 Bathurst St., Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M6A 2E1. E-mail: svandermorris@baycrest.org
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Abstract

The relationship of higher order problem solving to basic neuropsychological processes likely depends on the type of problems to be solved. Well-defined problems (e.g., completing a series of errands) may rely primarily on executive functions. Conversely, ill-defined problems (e.g., navigating socially awkward situations) may, in addition, rely on medial temporal lobe (MTL) mediated episodic memory processes. Healthy young (N = 18; M = 19; SD = 1.3) and old (N = 18; M = 73; SD = 5.0) adults completed a battery of neuropsychological tests of executive and episodic memory function, and experimental tests of problem solving. Correlation analyses and age group comparisons demonstrated differential contributions of executive and autobiographical episodic memory function to well-defined and ill-defined problem solving and evidence for an episodic simulation mechanism underlying ill-defined problem solving efficacy. Findings are consistent with the emerging idea that MTL-mediated episodic simulation processes support the effective solution of ill-defined problems, over and above the contribution of frontally mediated executive functions. Implications for the development of intervention strategies that target preservation of functional independence in older adults are discussed. (JINS, 2013, 19, 1–10)

Keywords

CognitionProblem solvingExecutive functionsEpisodic memoryAutobiographical memoryBehavior
Type
Research Articles
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 19 , Issue 10 , November 2013 , pp. 1087 - 1096
Copyright
Copyright © The International Neuropsychological Society 2013 

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