Incidental learning throughout life (P3.1-015)

Objective: The objective of this study is to check whether the ability to learn incidentally is reduced throughout life. Background: We all have the ability to adapt to new and unusual situations thanks to the adequate performance of the Executive Functions (EF). Not only these allow the subject to adapt to the surrounding world, but Incidental Learning (IL) is another component that provides flexibility and plasticity behavior, allowing an increase in the repertoire of behaviors, affective and cognitive schemes. Some research has related to these two cognitive functions, suggesting that when EFs are affected, the ability to learn incidentally is also reduced. During aging, not only neurobiological but also cognitive changes occur, among which a change in the performance of the EF is seen. Design/Methods: 186 healthy control subjects were evaluated with a complete neuropsychological battery in which IL tests were included: the Digit-Symbols task of the WAIS III (IL instance), the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure (IL instance) and IL ecological test. The group of subjects evaluated presented a mean for the age of 42.88 (SD = 19.95), for the years of formal education of 16.23 (SD = 3.47) and for the estimated CI of 108.77 ( DS = 9.15). Results: Negative correlations were observed between age and all IL tests administered: the IL ecological test (r = −.71; p = .000), the Digit-Symbols test (WAIS III) (r = −.69; p = .000) and the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure (r = −.54; p = .000). Conclusions: The results suggest that the ability to learn information incidentally decreases throughout life, that is, that older adults would present difficulties in acquiring information implicitly, limiting their repertoire of adaptive behaviors. These findings are relevant to design evaluation tools that make it possible to create intervention and prevention strategies aimed at raising the quality of life of older adults. Disclosure: Dr. Torres has nothing to disclose. Dr. Galiani has nothing to disclose. Dr. Goldfeder has nothing to disclose. Dr. Pagani Cassara has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sinay has nothing to disclose. Dr. Roca has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bruno has nothing to disclose.