Rethinking Age Differences in ERP Word Predictability Effects During Reading: Evidence from Meta-Analysis

Electroencephalography (EEG) studies of reading often report smaller and delayed neural responses to word predictability in older adults, particularly in the N400 and later frontal positivity components of event-related potential (ERP) measures. These findings have been interpreted as evidence for age-related declines in the use of contextual information during language comprehension. However, this contrasts with eye-movement research, which typically shows preserved or enhanced use of context in older readers. One possible explanation is methodological. Many EEG studies use rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP), where words are presented one at a time at a fixed pace. This limits natural reading behaviors that may be especially important for older adults. To evaluate this possibility, we conducted a meta-analysis of 12 EEG studies examining age differences in word predictability effects during sentence reading. RSVP studies were compared with studies using more naturalistic presentation methods. On average, older adults showed smaller and delayed N400 predictability effects than younger adults, replicating the standard ageing pattern. Critically, presentation method moderated these effects. RSVP studies consistently showed smaller and delayed predictability effects in older adults, whereas more naturalistic paradigms showed comparable effects across age groups and sometimes larger effects in older adults. No reliable age differences were observed in late frontal positivity effects. These findings suggest that widely reported age-related reductions in EEG word-predictability effects may reflect experimental constraints rather than a general decline in contextual processing during reading. Under more natural reading conditions, older adults appear to retain the ability to use prior context effectively.