Attentional switching flexibility in older adults: neural mechanisms, relation to driving and rehabilitation potential

Prof. Klaus Kessler and Dr Carol Holland

Does flexibility of attentional switching change with age, and if it does, what are the characteristics? Our primary focus will be on switching between attention to event-sequences in time and event-patterns distributed across space, which is indispensable in real-world scenarios (e.g. driving). MEG and EEG experiments will be employed to unravel age-related changes in behavioural effects, neural oscillations and connectivity patterns, while their predictive value for actual performance will be tested subsequently in realistic driving simulator scenarios. Specific emphasis will be on high frequency oscillations and their relationship with lower frequencies as indicators of attention and task-set maintenance (Canolty et al., 2006; Caravaglios et al., 2013; Cravo et al., 2013; Kahn et al., 2013). These will be combined with behavioural performance in driving simulator scenarios (EEG), as well as with other standard age vulnerable indicators of successful performance in dynamic environments, such as Useful Field of View (UFoV), sustained attention and executive updating, informing on a range of targets for rehabilitation and training with a focus on maintaining safe driving in older age.

Aston’s School of Life and Health Sciences ranked 3rd out of 63 UK Higher Education Institutions in the last Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) for Allied Health Professions and Studies (additional information: http://www1.aston.ac.uk/lhs/research/)

Financial Support:

The studentship is jointly funded by the Rees Jeffreys Road Fund and the School of Life & Health Sciences. It comprises of a tax-free stipend of £13,863 p.a. and payment of Home/EU tuition fees only. The studentship is available for three years, subject to satisfactory progress review at the end of the first year with an anticipated Registration date of 1st October 2014 or 1st January 2015.

Application Requirements:

● Eligible Applicants should hold at least a Bachelor (Hons) Degree (First Class) or hold a Master’s Degree (desirable) in Psychology, Neuroscience (also Human Factors) or a related discipline, incl. Computer Science with application to (bio-) signal processing or VR. A demonstrable interest in cognitive neuroscience and/or psychology of ageing is a requirement. Previous experience with complex data analysis and/or MATLAB® programming is desirable. Supervisors are based at Aston University, and draw on expertise in experimental and neuroimaging research with healthy and clinical populations.

● EU Applicants will need to demonstrate adequate proficiency in English Language skills, with a minimum overall score of 101 (Internet Based) (with a minimum score in each section of: R: 23, W: 26, L: 23 and S: 22) in TOEFL or IELTS with minimum marks of 6.5 in each section and an overall band of 7.0.

● Informal enquiries should be addressed to the Project Supervisors, Prof Klaus Kessler (E-mail: [Email Address Removed]) or Dr Carol Holland ([Email Address Removed]).

● To apply please complete the on-line application form at
http://www1.aston.ac.uk/lhs/research/postgraduate-research/apply/
quoting the Reference: ‘LHS_PSY_Kessler’ on all applications.

● The Closing Date for All Applications is: Friday 5th September 2014