Executive Functions

Question 1

What are executive functions?

Answer 1

• Coordinate other brain modules to enable flexible, purposeful, goal-directed behaviour

Question 2

Roles of executive functions

Answer 2

• Needed to optimise performance when coordinating between cognitive processes is needed
• Supervisory, controlling or meta-cognitive rather than specific to one domain e.g. memory, perception
• Linked to distinction between automatic + controlled behaviour
• Strong links to prefrontal cortex

Question 3

Anatomy of Prefrontal Cortex

Answer 3

Connected to almost all of brain
- Lateral: in ‘cold’ control processes (cognitive aspects)
- Orbital + medial: in ‘hot’ control (emotion/social regulation)

Question 4

Executive Functions in Practice (5 General Situations) - Norman + Shallice (1986)

Answer 4

(1) Planning / Decision making
(2) Error correction or trouble shooting
(3) When responses aren’t well-learned or contain novel sequences of actions
(4) Situation judged as dangerous or technically difficult
(5) When overcoming a habitual response / resisting temptation

Question 5

Executive Functions: Error Correction, Trouble Shooting & Task Switching in Wisconsin Card Sorting Test

Answer 5

Patients with PFC damage fail to update the rule and exhibit preservation behaviour - e.g. keep responding using previously correct response

• PFC must be involved in error correction + troubleshooting

Question 6

Neurological responses in PFC during Wisconsin Task - Monchi O et al, 2001

Answer 6

• DLPFC responded during feedback period regardless of +ve or -ve
• Ventrolateral PFC most activated for -ve feedback - suggests involvement when there is a need to change rule

Question 7

Overcoming habitual responses - Stroop Test + Lesions - Alexander et al, 2007

Answer 7

• Functional imaging + lesion studies suggest involvement of anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and pre-SMA (supplementary motor area)

Question 8

Role of Anterior Cingulate (ACC)

Answer 8

• Detects errors and response conflicts (potential errors)
• Monkeys with lesions couldn’t troubleshoot after erroe
• fMRI shows activity is greatest on error trail but lateral PFC greatest on error+1 trail

Suggests ACC only detects but doesn’t correct errors