Changes In Executive Function Research Articles

Transactional Linkages Between Parenting Behaviors and Child Executive Functions and Self-Regulation from Early Childhood to Adolescence.

Research on the development of executive functions (EFs) and self-regulation (SR) has focused heavily on the early childhood years, when these abilities first emerge. Less is known in comparison about how these abilities develop through adolescence, and how contextual factors, such as parenting, influence their development in later years. Using longitudinal data from the Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development (SECCYD), we used random intercept cross-lagged panel modeling (RI-CLPM) to examine the bidirectional linkages between three parenting behaviors (i.e., autonomy support, supportive presence, hostility), child EFs (i.e., working memory, inhibitory control) and child SR outcomes, from early childhood to adolescence. Parenting in early childhood was significantly associated with change in child EFs from early to middle childhood, but not from middle childhood to adolescence. Specifically, greater autonomy support in early childhood was associated with stronger child working memory and inhibitory control in middle childhood; greater supportive presence in early childhood was associated with stronger child working memory in middle childhood; and higher rates of hostility in early childhood were associated with weaker child inhibitory skills in middle childhood. Reciprocal effects of child EF and SR on parenting were also observed. Specifically, stronger child inhibitory control in early childhood was associated with less hostility in middle childhood, and stronger child self-regulation in middle childhood was associated with greater supportive presence in adolescence. Accounting for lagged and stability effects, there was significant residual covariance between parenting behaviors and child SR in adolescence, suggesting that parenting continues to be associated with the development of SR skills through adolescence. Understanding reciprocal linkages between parenting and child EF/SR through adolescence is critical in developing targeted parenting interventions beyond early childhood to improve children's outcomes.

Cognitive Change in a Diverse Group of Individuals Aged 90+: The LifeAfter90 Study

AbstractBackgroundThe oldest‐old are the fastest growing segment of the elderly population but very little is known about cognition in this age group; particularly in diverse populations. Our goal was to evaluate if domain specific cognitive change was different across different ethnoracial groups in those aged 90+.MethodLifeAfter90 (LA90) is an ongoing cohort of participants aged 90+ who are long‐term members of Kaiser Permanente Northern California participants. Participants (n = 984) were interviewed every 6 months for up to 3.5 years (1‐7 visits). Executive Function (EF) and Verbal Episodic Memory (VEM) were measured every six months using z‐standardized Spanish English Neuropsychological Assessment Scale. Racial/ethnic identify (Asian, Black, Latino, or White participants) was used in linear mixed models with random slopes and intercepts adjusting for baseline age, gender, education, interview mode, and practice effects.ResultParticipants were 20% Latino, 23% Black, 24% Asian, 27% White, and 7% other individuals with a mean age of 92.4 (SD = 2.3) and a mean follow up time 1.1 years (Table 1). 39% of the cohort were men, 35% were college educated, and 29% were high school or less educated. Average annual change in EF was ‐0.06 (95% CI: ‐0.12, ‐0.00). Stratified models with Latino as the reference group showed White participants had significantly greater decline in EF (β = ‐0.13; 95%CI:‐0.20,‐0.06), followed by Asian participants (β = ‐0.09; 95%CI:‐0.17,‐0.01). EF scores among Black participants and participants who identified as other declined at a similar rate as Latino participants (β = ‐0.03; 95%CI:‐0.11,‐0.05; β = 0.00; 95%CI:‐0.10, 0.11; respectively) (Table 2: model 2). VEM had an annual change of ‐0.26 (95%CI: ‐0.40, ‐0.13), but there were no significant differences across ethnoracial groups in rate of decline.ConclusionIn this population of individuals aged 90+, decline in EF over the study period varied across ethnoracial group with White participants experiencing the fastest decline and Black, Latino, and other participants experiencing the slowest decline. Continued follow up will identify if there are differences in risk of cognitive impairment in this diverse population of oldest‐old. The results suggest the disparities in cognitive aging for those aged 90+ don’t mirror disparities seen in younger‐elderly ages.

Association of MRI markers of vascular injury and neurodegeneration and cognitive decline in diverse cohorts: Findings from KHANDLE and STAR

AbstractBackgroundMRI biomarkers of vascular injury and neurodegeneration are associated with cognitive decline, but relatively little is known about cognitive change in diverse populations. Our objective is to examine associations of hippocampal volume and white matter integrity on cognitive change over 3 years.MethodKHANDLE (age 65+) and STAR (age 50+) are harmonized cohorts of racially/ethnically diverse long‐term members of Kaiser Permanente Northern California. A random sub‐sample of participants received neuroimaging with 3T MRI to measure regional brain volumes and white matter integrity. Hippocampal volume (cm3), log white matter hyperintensities (log‐WMH) (cm3), free water (FW) (cm3), and fractional anisotropy (FA) MRI measures were normalized on intracranial volume and age at scan. Cognitive decline was assessed across three waves using the Spanish English Neuropsychological Assessment Scale measuring executive function (EF) and verbal episodic memory (VEM). Linear mixed models allowing for random intercept and slope estimated the associations of MRI metrics and cognition adjusting for baseline age, education, gender/sex, interview mode (in‐person vs phone), and interactions of these covariates with time from baseline, to adjust for effects of covariates on both baseline cognition and cognitive change.ResultAmong 592 participants with neuroimaging, 59% were women, 47% were college educated, and 52% were Black adults (Table 1). Hippocampal volume was positively associated with baseline VEM (β = 0.268; CI = 0.153, 0.383) and EF change (β = 0.051; CI = 0.009, 0.094) (Table 2, Plot 1). FW was negatively associated with baseline EF (β = ‐6.561; CI = ‐10.758, ‐2.364), baseline VEM (β = ‐5.557; CI = ‐10.03, ‐1.084) and EF decline (β = ‐1.667; CI = ‐3.268, ‐0.066). FA was positively associated with baseline EF (β = 6.222; CI = 3.217, 9.228) and baseline VEM (β = 6.944; CI = 3.768, 10.119). Log‐WMH was negatively associated with baseline EF (β = ‐0.068; CI = ‐0.116, ‐0.020) and VEM (β = ‐0.082; CI = ‐0.132, ‐0.032).ConclusionAll MRI markers were associated with baseline cognition, but only hippocampal volume and FW were associated with cognitive change. MRI measures of neurodegeneration and white matter integrity may be predictive of cognition and short‐term decline in diverse groups of older adults. Future analyses will examine associations with cognitive impairment.

The COVID-19 pandemic and measurement of preschoolers' executive functions.

Given the far-reaching effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to investigate how executive function (EF) assessments were impacted by changes in measurement protocols, context, and timing due to the pandemic. The present study used data from two projects. The first project occurred prior to the pandemic (N = 244, 44.67% female; Mage = 44.27 months) with teacher ratings and objective EF measures collected in the spring of preschool, fall of prekindergarten (pre-K), and spring of pre-K. The second study was comprised of two cohorts, a transition cohort (i.e., Fall 2019 to Fall/Winter 2020) and a post-COVID lockdown cohort (i.e., Fall 2020 to Fall/Winter 2021). For both cohorts, data were collected in the fall of pre-K, spring of pre-K, and fall/winter of kindergarten (N = 130, 46.2% female, Mage = 44.84 months). Aims included: (1) evaluating the measurement characteristics of a virtual assessment of EF, (2) examining cohort differences in teacher and objective EF measures, (3) testing longitudinal mean-level change in EF, and (4) evaluating associations between COVID impact and change in EF. Teachers reported a marginal decrease in EF for the transition cohort and no change in the post-COVID cohort, whereas objective measurements demonstrated the expected increase in EF. Child and family COVID-19 impact emerged as risk factors for reduced EF for the transition cohort but not the post-COVID cohort. Overall, this study provides novel evidence that the timing and type of EF assessment differentially impacted estimates of children's EF. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

A - 48 Neuropsychiatric Symptom Severity Predicts Rate of Executive Function Decline.

Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) are considered diagnostic and prognostic indicators of dementia and are attributable to neurodegenerative processes. NPS are distressing for patients and caregivers and are associated with accelerated functional decline, hospitalization, and institutionalization. Evaluation of NPS effects on disease course may reduce patient and caregiver distress and support development of personalized treatments. We examined whether baseline NPS predicted the rate of executive function (EF) decline among older adults with cognitive impairment. Older adults (n = 1155) with cognitive impairment and four years of data were selected from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center database v3-v3.2. Overall EF was estimated with a latent factor indicated by scores on Number Span Backward, Letter Fluency, and Trail Making-Part B. Strict temporal invariance was established. A curve of factors (CUFF) latent growth curve model was estimated to examine rate of change. Baseline NPS severity was entered as a predictor to examine its influence on the rate of change in EF over time. The predicted CUFF model exhibited good fit (χ2[69] = 201.46, p < 0.001; CFI = 0.98, RMSEA = 0.04). EF significantly declined over four waves (slope = -0.53). NPS severity at baseline predicted decline in EF (β= 0.164, p = 0.001), such that those with greater NPS severity demonstrated a more rapid decrease in EF performance over time. Increased NPS severity at baseline predicts more rapid decline in EF over four years. Findings highlight the prognostic value of NPS on cognitive decline and underscore the importance of targeting NPS at early disease stages. Future research will examine influence of individual NPS on rate of cognitive decline.

10-min exposure to a 2.5% hypercapnic environment increases cerebral blood blow but does not impact executive function

Space travel and exploration are associated with increased ambient CO2 (i.e., a hypercapnic environment). Some work reported that the physiological changes (e.g., increased cerebral blood flow [CBF]) associated with a chronic hypercapnic environment contributes to a “space fog” that adversely impacts cognition and psychomotor performance, whereas other work reported no change or a positive change. Here, we employed the antisaccade task to evaluate whether transient exposure to a hypercapnic environment influences top-down executive function (EF). Antisaccades require a goal-directed eye movement mirror-symmetrical to a target and are an ideal tool for identifying subtle EF changes. Healthy young adults (aged 19–25 years) performed blocks of antisaccade trials prior to (i.e., pre-intervention), during (i.e., concurrent) and after (i.e., post-intervention) 10-min of breathing factional inspired CO2 (FiCO2) of 2.5% (i.e., hypercapnic condition) and during a normocapnic (i.e., control) condition. In both conditions, CBF, ventilatory and cardiorespiratory responses were measured. Results showed that the hypercapnic condition increased CBF, ventilation and end-tidal CO2 and thus demonstrated an expected physiological adaptation to increased FiCO2. Notably, however, null hypothesis and equivalence tests indicated that concurrent and post-intervention antisaccade reaction times were refractory to the hypercapnic environment; that is, transient exposure to a FiCO2 of 2.5% did not produce a real-time or lingering influence on an oculomotor-based measure of EF. Accordingly, results provide a framework that – in part – establishes the FiCO2 percentage and timeline by which high-level EF can be maintained. Future work will explore CBF and EF dynamics during chronic hypercapnic exposure as more direct proxy for the challenges of space flight and exploration.

Children with ADHD Symptomatology: Does POET Improve Their Daily Routine Management?

Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) struggle with executive delays while managing their daily tasks. This is a secondary analysis of existing data from open-label research examining the efficacy of Parental Occupational Executive Training (POET). It further examines POET's efficacy in increasing young children's (3.83 to 7.08 years) executive control over daily routines, and in decreasing their ADHD symptoms. Additionally, the second analysis investigates which of the children's increased capabilities is better associated with the change in their daily routine management following the intervention. Parents of children with ADHD symptomatology (N = 72, 55 boys) received eight POET sessions. They completed standardised ADHD symptomatology, executive management of daily routines, and executive functions (EF) questionnaires at pretest, post-test, and 3-month follow-up. Children's ADHD symptoms and their management of daily routines significantly improved following the POET intervention. The children's score changes in EF accounted for 37% of the variance in their improved routine management. These findings suggest that interventions aiming to increase children's executive control over their daily routines should improve their broader array of EF besides decreasing core ADHD symptoms.

Reallocation of time between preschoolers’ 24-h movement behaviours and executive functions: A compositional data analysis

ABSTRACT The objectives of the survey were to explored the associations of the 24-h movement behaviours (MB) with executive functions (EFs) and quantified the predicted changes in EFs following allocation of time among behaviours. In the cross-sectional survey, 135 preschoolers (3 ~ 5 years) were enrolled. Physical activity (PA) and sedentary (SED) time were objectively measured employing an ActiGraph GT9X. Sleep time was reported by parents. EFs were assessed using the iPad-based Early Years Toolbox which is a collection of computerized tasks consisting of brief tasks assessed from games administered and scored according to protocol. To explore the associations of the 24-h MB with EFs, compositional multiple linear regression was employed. To quantify the predicted changes in EFs following allocation of time among behaviours, compositional isotemporal substitution was used. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was positively related to cognitive flexibility. Replacing sleep or SED with MVPA was associated with positive changes in cognitive flexibility. When MVPA was replaced with sleep or SED, the predicted detriments to cognitive flexibility were larger than predicted benefits of replacing sleep or SED with MVPA. The findings highlight the key role of intensity of PA for preschoolers’ EFs and the importance of meeting recommended levels of MVPA.

A-01 Trait Mindfulness Gains Associated with Executive Functioning Improvements Following Physical Exercise in Older Adults

Abstract Purpose Although there are certain injury risks associated with sports participation (e.g., concussion), there are also neuropsychological benefits relating to physical activity. Evidence suggests that trait mindfulness (TM) may contribute to the neuropsychological benefits of physical activity and exercise, including those pertaining to executive functioning (EF) and mood. The present study aimed to investigate the degree to which changes in TM accounted for changes in neuropsychological functioning following a remote physical exercise training program for older adults. It was hypothesized that increases in TM would predict improvements in self-reported EF and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Methods As part of a larger RCT, 43 older adults (70% females, 65-81 years-old) from across Canada completed an online assessment measuring TM, EF, and mood before and after engaging in an 8-week remote physical exercise training program. Results Linear regression analyses showed that pre-post changes in TM explained a significant proportion of variance in self-reported changes in EF, r2=.18, F(1,24)=5.11, p&amp;lt;.05, but did not for symptoms of depression, r2=.06, F(1,24)= 1.53, p= 23 or anxiety, r2=.04, F(1,24)=1.08, p=.31. More specifically, bivariate correlations demonstrated that gains in TM were significantly associated with increases in reported impulse control, r=.48, p=.01, and empathy, r=.42, p&amp;lt;.05. Conclusions These results suggest that for older adults engaging in exercise, gains in trait mindfulness may be associated with benefits to certain aspects of executive functioning. These findings also invite sports neuropsychologists to consider level of mindfulness when evaluating individuals (e.g., athletes) engaged in exercise.

Long-term improvements in executive functions after frontal-midline theta neurofeedback in a (sub)clinical group.

Impairments in executive functions (EFs) are common across disorders and can greatly affect daily functioning. Frontal-midline (FM) theta neurofeedback (NF) has been shown effective in enhancing EFs in healthy adults, prompting interest in exploring its potential as an alternative treatment for EFs in (sub)clinical samples. This study aims to determine the effects of FM theta NF on EFs in a sample of 58 adults (aged 20-60 years) with pronounced subjective EF complaints in daily life. Using a pre/post/follow-up design with a sham NF group, the present study assessed upregulation of FM theta in an eight-session individualized FM theta NF training and its immediate and long-term transfer effects on objective and subjective measures of EFs. These included behavioral performance on EF tasks assessing working memory updating (N-back task), set-shifting (Switching task), conflict monitoring (Stroop task), and response inhibition (Stop-signal task), as well as FM theta power during these tasks, and subjective EFs in daily life (BRIEF-A). The results indicate that there are only differences in FM theta self-upregulation between the NF group and sham group when non-responders are excluded from the analysis. Regarding behavioral transfer effects, NF-specific improvements are found in working memory updating reaction time (RT) and conflict monitoring RT variability at 6-month follow-up, but not immediately after the NF training. The effects on FM theta power during the EF tasks and subjective changes in EFs in daily life were not specific to the NF training. As a next step, research should identify the best predictors to stratify NF training, as well as explore ways to improve NF responsiveness, for instance by increasing neuroplasticity.

Neuronal properties of pyramidal cells in lateral prefrontal cortex of the aging rhesus monkey brain are associated with performance deficits on spatial working memory but not executive function.

Age-related declines in cognitive abilities occur as early as middle-age in humans and rhesus monkeys. Specifically, performance by aged individuals on tasks of executive function (EF) and working memory (WM) is characterized by greater frequency of errors, shorter memory spans, increased frequency of perseverative responses, impaired use of feedback and reduced speed of processing. However, how aging precisely differentially impacts specific aspects of these cognitive functions and the distinct brain areas mediating cognition are not well understood. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is known to mediate EF and WM and is an area that shows a vulnerability to age-related alterations in neuronal morphology. In the current study, we show that performance on EF and WM tasks exhibited significant changes with age, and these impairments correlate with changes in biophysical properties of layer 3 (L3) pyramidal neurons in lateral LPFC (LPFC). Specifically, there was a significant age-related increase in excitability of L3 LPFC pyramidal neurons, consistent with previous studies. Further, this age-related hyperexcitability of LPFC neurons was significantly correlated with age-related decline on a task of WM, but not an EF task. The current study characterizes age-related performance on tasks of WM and EF and provides insight into the neural substrates that may underlie changes in both WM and EF with age.

Executive Functions: Going Places at Pace

ABSTRACT Research on children’s executive functions (EF) has continued apace for a long time. The papers in this special issue offer the reader a welcome opportunity to pause and reflect on whether existing conceptualizations of EF require a paradigm shift. This debate is informed by thoughtful discussion of the difficulties in assessing EF in different societal contexts, by innovative approaches to enriching the assessment of EF, and novel accounts of what underpins developmental change in EF, as well as how EF relates to other aspects of children’s cognitive development. My commentary is organized by the dimensions of place and time and concludes with insights gleaned from the special issue regarding ways of supporting children’s growing EF.

PET OWNERSHIP AND MAINTENANCE OF EXECUTIVE FUNCTION IN OLDER ADULTS– EVIDENCE FROM THE BLSA

Abstract Pet ownership (PO) or human-animal interaction (HAI) has been associated with better physical and mental health in individuals with existing disease or disability. In experimental studies, HAI improves some aspects of cognitive function. No research addresses HAI and longitudinal changes in cognitive function in older adults. We examined the relationship of PO to maintaining executive function (EF) within generally healthy community-dwelling older adults in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA). We hypothesized less EF deterioration among pet owners than non-owners; and less deterioration among dog-walkers than owners who don’t walk their dogs. 637 women (55.9%) and men aged 50–100 years (M=68.3, SD=9.6) completed a PO questionnaire which ascertained ownership history and comprehensive examination every 1–4 years over 1–13 years (M=7.5, SD=3.6). Linear mixed models with time varying PO examined changes in EF according to PO. Pet owners (n=185) were younger (p &amp;lt; 0.001) and healthier (p=0.030) than non-owners; thus, age and comorbidities were included as covariates in the longitudinal analyses. EF, assessed using the Trail-Making Test (TMT), deteriorated with age (p’s &amp;lt; 0.001). Deterioration was less severe among pet owners than non-owners (TMT A: p &amp;lt; 0.001; B: p &amp;lt; 0.001; difference: p=0.042) and dog owners than non-owners (TMT A: p=0.025; B: p=0.009; difference: p=0.076), but not among cat owners than non-owners. Among dog owners (n=73), dog walkers experienced less deterioration than non-walkers (TMT A: p=0.156; B: p=0.001; difference: p &amp;lt; 0.001). This study provides the first longitudinal evidence that PO may contribute to maintaining EF among community-dwelling generally healthy older adults as they age.

An ecological view of executive function in young children: Variation in and predictors of executive function skills over one school year.

For many years, researchers studied executive functions (EFs) in the laboratory with a focus on understanding an individual child's development and brain processes in a controlled environment. Building on this foundational research, there is a growing interest in EFs in the context of a child's dynamic, social world, and the contextual and compositional factors influencing EF development. This paper provides a descriptive view of EFs in 1112 K-3 children from six schools in Phoenix, AZ, USA. The study's goals were to examine (1) variation in EF scores between and within schools and classrooms, (2) predictors of variation in children's spring EF scores, and (3) individual and compositional predictors of children's spring EF scores. Our findings indicate greater variation in children's EF within schools than between, with very little or no variation arising from differences between schools. Though we observed greater variation within classrooms than between them, a notable amount of variance in children's spring EF scores appears to arise from differences between classrooms. Classroom-level variables, including a fall leave-out classroom mean (without the students' own score) and the number of children in the top or bottom grade-level quartiles in each classroom, were significant predictors of variation in spring EF scores as well as in fall to spring changes in EF. In some cases, the classroom variables were stronger predictors than individual fall scores. Findings suggest that understanding variation and cultivating growth in EF skills requires intervention, measurement, and analytic approaches that extend beyond the individual to include compositional features of the classroom environment. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Variation in children's EF scores (n=1112 children) was greater within schools (n=6 schools) than between, with very little or no variance arising from differences between schools. While variance was greater within classrooms than between (n=67 classrooms), a notable amount of variance in children's spring EF scores appears to arise from differences between classrooms. Classroom-level variables (e.g., leave-out mean, number of children in the top or bottom grade-level quartiles in each classroom) were significant predictors of variation and of changes in spring EF outcomes. In some cases, the classroom variables were stronger predictors of spring EF than individual fall scores.

Longitudinal investigation of executive function development employing task-based, teacher reports, and fNIRS multimethodology in 4- to 5-year-old children.

Increased focus on resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) and the use and accessibility of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) have advanced knowledge on the interconnected nature of neural substrates underlying executive function (EF) development in adults and clinical populations. Less is known about the relationship between rsFC and developmental changes in EF during preschool years in typically developing children, a gap the present study addresses employing task-based assessment, teacher reports, and fNIRS multimethodology. This preregistered study contributes to our understanding of the neural basis of EF development longitudinally with 41 children ages 4-5. Changes in prefrontal cortex (PFC) rsFC utilizing fNIRS, EF measured with a common task-based assessment (Day-Night task), and teacher reports of behavior (BRIEF-P) were monitored over multiple timepoints: Initial Assessment, 72 h follow-up, 1 Month Follow-up, and 4 Month Follow-up. Measures of rsFC were strongly correlated 72h apart, providing evidence of high rsFC measurement reliability using fNIRS with preschool-aged children. PFC rsFC was positively correlated with performance on task-based and report-based EF assessments. Children's PFC functional connectivity at rest uniquely predicted later EF, controlling for verbal IQ, age, and sex. Functional connectivity at rest using fNIRS may potentially show the rapid changes in EF development in young children, not only neurophysiologically, but also as a correlate of task-based EF performance and ecologically-relevant teacher reports of EF in a classroom context.

Trajectories of Executive Functions After Early Childhood Traumatic Brain Injury: Teacher Ratings in the Initial 81 Months Postinjury.

To explore teacher-rated trajectories of executive functioning (EF) after early childhood traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to identify injury-related, academic, and family factors associated with growth trajectories using latent class growth analysis. A total of 121 children who sustained a TBI or orthopedic injury (OI) between the ages of 3 and 7 years were recruited from 3 tertiary care children's hospitals and a general hospital in Ohio, including 57 with moderate or severe TBI and 64 with OI. Assessments were completed at baseline (0-3 months postinjury) and an average of 6, 12, 18, and 81 months postinjury. Changes in teacher-rated EF were modeled across time and heterogeneity in recovery and moderating factors was examined. Study variables included participant demographics, teacher-rated EF (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function), family functioning (McMaster Family Assessment Device), and parenting style (Parenting Practices Questionnaire). Analysis of teacher-rated EF yielded 2 trajectories: Normative (64.71%) and At-Risk (35.29%). Traumatic brain injury was a weak predictor of membership in the At-Risk trajectory ( P = .05). Membership in the At-Risk trajectory (compared with Normative category) was associated with a higher incidence of Individualized Education Programs, higher baseline EF concerns, increased endorsement of authoritarian parenting, lower socioeconomic status, and non-White race. Teacher-rated EF after pediatric TBI differs from OI. Increased EF concerns over time were associated with increased baseline EF and characteristics of the home and school environment. These findings extend previous research on recovery of EF to educational settings and outline potentially modifiable risk factors that can maximize success in the school settings for children who experience early-childhood traumatic injury.

A network analysis of executive functions before and after computerized cognitive training in children and adolescents

Executive functions (EFs) play a key role in cognitive and socioemotional development. Factor analyses have revealed an age dependent structure of EFs spanning from a single common factor in early childhood to three factors in adults corresponding to inhibitory control (IC), switching and updating. IC performances change not only with age but also with cognitive training. Surprisingly, few studies have investigated training-related changes in EFs structure. We used the regularized partial correlation network model to analyze EFs structure in 137 typically developing children (9–10 years) and adolescents (15–17 years) before and after computerized cognitive training. Network models (NMs) —a graph theory-based approach allowing us to describe the structure of complex systems— can provide a priori free insight into EFs structures. We tested the hypothesis that training-related changes may mimic developmental-related changes. Quantitative and qualitative changes were detected in the EFs network structure with age and also with cognitive training. Of note, the EFs network structure in children after training was more similar to adolescents’ networks than before training. This study provided the first evidence of structural changes in EFs that are age and training-dependent and supports the hypothesis that training could accelerate the development of some structural aspects of EFs. Due to the sample size, these findings should be considered preliminary before replication in independent larger samples.

Bridging cognition and action: executive functioning mediates the relationship between white matter fiber density and complex motor abilities in older adults

Aging may be associated with motor decline that is attributed to deteriorating white matter microstructure of the corpus callosum (CC), among other brain-related factors. Similar to motor functioning, executive functioning (EF) typically declines during aging, with age-associated changes in EF likewise being linked to altered white matter connectivity in the CC. Given that both motor and executive functions rely on white matter connectivity via the CC, and that bimanual control is thought to rely on EF, the question arises whether EF can at least party account for the proposed link between CC-connectivity and motor control in older adults. To address this, diffusion magnetic resonance imaging data were obtained from 84 older adults. A fiber-specific approach was used to obtain fiber density (FD), fiber cross-section (FC), and a combination of both metrics in eight transcallosal white matter tracts. Motor control was assessed using a bimanual coordination task. EF was determined by a domain-general latent EF-factor extracted from multiple EF tasks, based on a comprehensive test battery. FD of transcallosal prefrontal fibers was associated with cognitive and motor performance. EF partly accounted for the relationship between FD of prefrontal transcallosal pathways and motor control. Our results underscore the multidimensional interrelations between callosal white matter connectivity (especially in prefrontal brain regions), EF across multiple domains, and motor control in the older population. They also highlight the importance of considering EF when investigating brain-motor behavior associations in older adults.

Development of executive functions in late childhood and the mediating role of cooperative learning: A longitudinal study

We examine the developmental changes in Executive functions (EFs) throughout late childhood and how the contextual factor of classroom methodology mediates such changes. Using data collected from fifty-three pupils at two time points (between the 5th and 6th grades of Primary School) we observed the longitudinal development of cool (Working Memory (WM), Cognitive Flexibility, Inhibitory Control, and Planning) and hot-EFs (Emotional Intelligence-EI-). The participants were selected from two schools with different methodological approaches (Cooperative and Individualistic learning) to examine the mediating role of classroom methodologies in developmental changes in EFs. The results revealed age-related improvements in performance on WM, cognitive flexibility, and planning tasks. Moreover, Cooperative Learning (CL) significantly affected performance on WM and self-control tasks. Our findings highlight the importance of studying the development of EFs at the end of the Primary School stage, since natural development involves numerous contextual factors that deserve attention, particularly for improving methodological proposals and learning processes.

0326 Influence of Sleep and Cardiovascular Health on Cognitive Outcomes in Older Adults

Abstract Introduction High and low sleep duration have been associated with reduced executive function (EF) and episodic memory (EM). However, causal pathways have not been identified. Cardiovascular health may contribute to the relationship between sleep and cognitive aging. Sleep disturbance has been associated with increased hypertension and heart disease in older adults, and cerebrovascular insufficiency has been consistently linked with cognitive decline. Therefore, the mediating and moderating effects of cardiovascular disease risk (CVD) on the relationship between sleep duration and longitudinal change in EF and EM were examined. Methods Statistical analyses were preregistered (osf.io/6yw7g). Average total sleep time (TST) over 2-6 nights was estimated using single-channel EEG at baseline (N=332). CVD was estimated using the abbreviated Framingham Heart Score approximately one year post-baseline. Outcome variables were linear change in EF and EM composite scores [BL1] per year up to 7 years after baseline. EF subtests measured semantic fluency, working memory, and task switching. EM subtests measured verbal associative memory, narrative episodic memory, and list learning. Covariates included age, gender, Alzheimer disease (AD) biomarkers (ratio of phosphorylated tau181 to amyloid-ß42), global cognition, and apnea-hypopnea index. Results Greater TST was linearly associated with reduced CVD (ß=-.157, p=.006). Quadratic effects of TST on EF and EM were observed (EF: ß=-.105, p=.002; EM: ß=-.203, p=.007). Lowest TST was related to greater reduction in EF; highest TST was related to greater reduction in EF and EM. Mediating effects of CVD for EF and EM were observed (ps&amp;lt;.05) but were non-significant when age and AD biomarkers were included (p=.10, p=.08, respectively). A non-significant trend indicated CVD moderated effects of TST on EF (ß=.10, p=.055), controlling for age and AD biomarkers. Less sleep combined with higher CVD tended to be associated with greater decline in EF. CVD did not moderate effects of TST on EM (ß=.07, p=.254). Conclusion Consistent with prior literature, CVD and TST were independently associated with cognitive decline. Although findings suggest that CVD may influence effects of TST on cognitive decline, more evidence is needed. Future analyses will examine alternative sleep measures (e.g., sleep efficiency, slow wave spectral density). Support (If Any) NIH: T32-AG000030, P01-AG03991, P01-AG026276, P30-AG066444.