Multisensory integration compensates loss of sensitivity of visual temporal order in the elderly.

Here, we examined sensitivity of visual, auditory, and audiovisual temporal order in five age-groups (20 to 70 years old). We also measured multisensory integration (MSI) using a phenomenon known as "temporal ventriloquism," in which click sounds improve sensitivity of visual temporal order. Results showed that sensitivity of visual, auditory, and audiovisual temporal order declined from 50 years on. However, there was no corresponding decline in MSI as the click sounds actually compensated the loss of sensitivity of visual temporal order in the elderly. Sensitivity of audiovisual temporal order did not correlate with MSI, suggesting that well-preserved explicit judgments about cross-modal temporal order are not required for MSI to occur.