Age-related differences in alpha power for distractor inhibition during visual working memory (opens in new tab)

As working memory (WM) is limited in capacity, neural resources must be directed towards task-relevant, and away from task-irrelevant information. Alpha oscillations (8–12 Hz) have been implicated in distractor inhibition during WM retention in younger adults, but it is unclear if alpha oscillations also support distractor inhibition in older adults. We recorded electroencephalography while 24 younger (aged 18–35) and 24 older (aged 60–86) adults completed a modified delay match-to-sample tas...