WEEK 9: Executive Function Flashcards
what is the first conceptualisation of executive functions?
− The ability to over-ride automatic behaviour in order to deal with novel situations
− The ability to switch flexibly between tasks
− The ability to carry out a task while holding in mind other goals
what is the second conceptualisation of executive functions?
volition, planning and purpose action
what is the third conceptualisation of executivive functions?
− executive functions required when
o planning and decision making needed
o error correction or troubleshooting required
o non-automatic or novel responses to be made
o dangerous or technically complicated responses needed
o need to overcome habit or temptation
what is the final conceptualisation of executive functions?
− we have hot executive functioning and cold executive functioning
o HOT = when we need to utilise EF in situations where there is an emotional component or affective information
o COLD = when we are utilising our EF skills in situations without context or emotion or affective information
− How we use these skills in emotional situations and how we use them in rational situations
what is the lateral view of the brain?
from the side
what is the midsigittal view of the brain?
from the side cut in half
what is the basal view of the brain?
from the bottom
what are the important regions of the frontal love
− Primary motor cortex
− Non-primary motor cortex
− Prefrontal cortex
what is the non-primary motor cortex?
premotor cortex and supplementary motor area
what is the most common way that the prefrontal cortex can be divided??
one common subdivision of the prefrontal cortex into three ‘regions’:
o dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
o orbitofrontal cortex
o mediofrontal cortex (not on diagram)
where is the orbitofrontal cortex
relating to the eyes (infront of eyes) (AKA ventromedial)
where is the mediofrontal cortex
- infront of corpus callosum the dorso and orbit
what is the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) involved in?
The DLPFC and its circuitry is involved in higher order cognitive operations.
how is the DLPFC often labelled?
the executive circuit. it’s important to recognise that executive functioning is also implicated in the mediation of emotional, motivational, and social behaviour.
what some deficits follow damage to the DLPFC?
o Working memory
o Planning, task-setting, and problem-solving
o Sequencing
o Selective (concentration on one thing when there are many interfering stimuli) and sustained attention (concentration over a long period of time)
o Perseveration – “getting stuck”
o Inhibition
o Cognitive flexibility
what are some neuropsychological measures sensitive to DLPFC damage?
− F-A-S test (individuals may repeat items or get stuck)
− Digit span backwards, backwards 7’s, N-Back (working memory)
− Tower of Hanoi / Tower of London (task-setting/planning, sequencing, problem-solving)
− Stroop (inhibition)
− Wisconsin card sort (cognitive flexibility)
what is the orbito frontal cortex (OFC)?
− In basic terms, the orbitofrontal cortex and its circuitry is involved in the mediation of emotional and social responses. It is responsible for executive processing of emotional stimuli. (HOT)
what deficits follow damage to the OFC?
o Emotional lability (rapid exaggerated change in emotion)
o Diminished social insight
o Socially inappropriate behavior, esp. conversational skills
o Difficulties with changing reinforcements
o Lack of sensitivity to future outcomes, both positive and negative
o Lack of empathy
what are some neuropsychological measures sensitive to the OFC damage?
− Family/caregiver reports of social behaviour, empathy, aggression
− F-A-S test (individuals may give socially inappropriate answers)
− Sentence completion task (inhibition)
− The captain went down with the sinking ______.
− Bechara’s Gambling task
what is the mediofrontal cortex (MFC)
− This prefrontal region is believed to support a number of overlapping functions, including:
o Response monitoring (control and monitoring of action)
o Error detection
o Deciding between competing responses
o Motivation or drive behaviour
what deficits follow damage to the mediofrontal cortex>
o Apathy o Akinesia o Difficulties with emotion: flat affect o Difficulties with decision-making o Diminished verbal output
what are neuropsychological measures sensitive to the mediofrontal damage?
− Family/caregiver reports (apathy)
− Questionnaires, scales measuring motivation
− Reaction time (individuals with damage to this region may be slower on speeded tasks)
