Effect of aging on visual attention: Evidence from the Attention Network Test

We investigated the effects of aging on attentional functions using the Attention Network Test (ANT), which enables simultaneous testing of alerting, orienting, and executive networks, and their interactions. Participants were 38 young adults (M_age = 21.35 years) and 36 older adults (M_age = 71.17 years). Although the older adults exhibited a slower overall response, the three attentional functions showed different modulation according to age group and the trial block being completed. Older adults exhibited significant impairment in the alerting function, regardless of whether they were completing the first or second block of trials, whereas their executive function decreased significantly only in Block 2 owing to cognitive fatigue. Both age groups performed similarly for the orienting function. Future researchers should seek to further clarify the specificity of attention function with people aged over 70 years to address their attention disturbance.