Executive Function Research Articles

Passive and active exercise do not mitigate mental fatigue during a sustained vigilance task.

Executive function (EF) is improved following a single bout of exercise and impaired when an individual experiences mental fatigue (MF). These performance outcomes have been linked to a bi-directional change in cerebral blood flow (CBF). Here, we sought to determine whether MF-induced by a sustained vigilance task (i.e., psychomotor vigilance task: PVT) is mitigated when preceded by a single bout of exercise. Participants completed 20-min single bouts of active exercise (cycle ergometry involving volitional muscle activation), passive exercise (cycle ergometry involving a mechanical flywheel) and a non-exercise control intervention. EF was assessed pre- and post-intervention via the antisaccade task. Following each intervention, a 20-min PVT was completed to induce and assess MF, and transcranial Doppler ultrasound of middle cerebral artery velocity (MCAv) was used to estimate intervention- and PVT-based changes in CBF. Active and passive exercise provided a post-intervention reduction in antisaccade reaction times; that is, exercise benefitted EF. Notably, however, frequentist and Bayesian statistics indicated the EF benefit did not mitigate MF during the PVT. As well, although exercise (active and passive) and the PVT respectively increased and decreased CBF, these changes were not correlated with behavioral measures of EF or MF. Accordingly, a postexercise EF benefit does not mitigate MF during a sustained vigilance task and a bi-directional change in CBF does not serve as a primary mechanism associated with EF and MF changes. Such results provide a framework for future work to explore how different exercise types, intensities and durations may impact MF.

Determining associations between Big Five personality traits and executive function in an undergraduate student sample.

The present study sought to determine the associations between executive functioning and Big Five personality traits in an undergraduate sample. Participants included 200 undergraduates (73% women), with a mean age of approximately 21 years. Participants completed the Big Five Inventory-44 and a psychological assessment battery, which included the Trail Making Test and the Semantic Fluency Test. Results from multiple regression analyses suggested agreeableness was negatively associated with Semantic Fluency - Animals (β = -0.310, p < 0.001). Moreover, conscientiousness was positively associated with Trail Making Test B-A (β = 0.197, p = 0.016), but negatively associated with Trail Making Test A (β = -0.193, p = 0.017). Overall results identified that executive function association with personality varies by construct. Given conscientiousness' differential associations within the executive function task performances, future research should examine the conscientious threshold that would result in psychological symptomatology associated with extreme lows and highs in conscientiousness.

Executive and adaptive function impacts long-term outcomes for adults with maple syrup urine disease.

Successful transition to independent adulthood requires intact executive and adaptive function. These neurocognitive domains are frequently impaired in inherited metabolic disorders (IMD), despite optimal management. For many IMDs, the impact of executive and adaptive dysfunction on long-term outcomes remains undefined. Standardized assessments linking neurocognitive status with functional outcomes are needed to improve prognostication and tailor support for affected emerging adults. Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD), a relatively prevalent IMD, is primarily diagnosed in the first week of life through newborn screening. Despite early intervention, executive and adaptive dysfunction persist. We designed a remote, interactive battery of neurocognitive and functional assessments for adults (≥21 years) with MSUD to correlate neurocognition and long-term outcomes. Participants were selectively recruited for racial, ethnic, socio-economic, and geographic diversity. Assessments completed by 28 adults with MSUD (82% diagnosed after symptom onset, 25% from minority communities) show a wide range in educational attainment, employment, and residence. Executive and adaptive function were significantly impaired in adults with MSUD compared to controls. Executive and adaptive deficits correlated negatively with educational attainment, employment, and obtaining skills needed for adult-oriented healthcare or independent living. Clinical history did not predict functional outcomes, but neurocognitive assessments suggest the benefits of pre-symptomatic diagnosis. Independent adulthood is attainable for individuals with MSUD. Routine assessment of neurocognition and interventions targeting executive and adaptive function may improve long-term functional outcomes in IMD.

Behavioral manifestations of executive functioning in Swedish youth with ADHD, autism, and psychiatric comorbidity: a comparative analysis with community controls.

While several rating scales reliably and cost-effectively assess behavioral executive functioning (EF) in youths with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), questions remain about the impact of comorbidities and dual NDDs on EF as measured by these scales in clinical samples. This study compared behavioral EF profiles among youths with NDDs, both with and without psychiatric comorbidities, non-NDDs (e.g. anxiety), and controls, as well as youths with single versus dual NDDs. The comparisons were made using the Swedish version of the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF-2) parent form. Participants included 79 youths (mean [SD] age 12.1 [3.0]; 50.6% girls) diagnosed with various psychiatric conditions, and 151 matched controls (mean [SD] age 12.4 [2.8]; 51.7% girls). Results showed significant differences with very large effect sizes in all behavioral EF domains among youths with NDDs, regardless of whether they had non-NDD psychiatric comorbidities, compared to youths with non-NDDs or controls. The latter two groups differed in six of eight behavioral EF domains, with the Shift domain showing the largest effect size (Cohen's d = 0.94). Surprisingly, no significant differences were found between the NDD-only group and the NDD group with non-NDD psychiatric comorbidities. Youths with dual NDDs had more deficits in four of the nine behavioral EF domains compared to those with a single NDD, with the Shift domain again showing the largest effect size (Cohen's d = 0.91). This study highlights the essential role of NDD in distinguishing clinically significant parent-rated behavioral EF deficits in youths, regardless of other psychiatric diagnoses.

A multi-stage feature selection method to improve classification of potential super-agers and cognitive decliners using structural brain MRI data-a UK biobank study.

Cognitive aging is described as the age-related decline in areas such as memory, executive function, reasoning, and processing speed. Super-Agers, adults over 80 years old, have cognitive function performance comparable to middle-aged adults. To improve cognitive reserve and potentially decrease Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk, it is essential to contrast changes in regional brain volumes between "Positive-Agers" who have superior cognitive performance compared to their age peers but are not 80 years old yet and aging adults who show cognitive decline (i.e., "Cognitive Decliners"). Using longitudinal cognitive tests over 7-9 years in UK Biobank, principal component analysis (PCA) was first applied to four cognitive domains to create a general cognition (GC) composite score. The GC score was then used to identify latent cognitive groups. Given cognitive groups as the target variable and structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) data and demographics as predictors, we developed a multi-stage feature selection algorithm to identify the most important features. We then trained a Random Forest (RF) classifier on the final set of 54 selected sMRI and covariate predictors to distinguish between Positive-Agers and Cognitive Decliners. The RF model achieved an AUC of 73%. The top 6 features were age, education, brain total surface area, the area of pars orbitalis, mean intensity of the thalamus, and superior frontal gyrus surface area. Prediction of cognitive trajectory types using sMRI may improve our understanding of successful cognitive aging.

Evaluating Social Determinants of Health-Based Alternatives to Race-Based Cognitive Normative Models.

Race and ethnicity are proxy measures of sociocultural factors that influence cognitive test performance. Our objective was to compare different regression-based cognitive normative models adjusting for demographics and different combinations of easily accessible/commonly used social determinants of health (SDoH) factors, which may help describe cognitive performance variability historically captured by ethnoracial differences. We performed cross-sectional analyses on data from Black and White participants without mild cognitive impairment/dementia in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study who attended visit 5 in 2011-2013. Participants underwent a battery of 11 cognitive tests (3 domains: memory, executive function, language). We fit 6 separate normative models for each cognitive test, all including age and education, with different combinations of race, the Wide Range of Achievement Test (education quality proxy), and area deprivation index (neighborhood deprivation) associated with current residence. We compared model fits and calculated concordances/discordances between models using z-scores derived from each normative model and a z-score <-1.5 threshold for impairment. Participants (n = 2,392) had a mean age of 74.4 years, 60.4% were female, and 17.1% were of self-reported Black race. The "Full" model with race alongside demographic and SDoH measures consistently outperformed other nested submodels (likelihood ratios ≥ 100) for all domains/tests except Delayed Word Recall. Models with education quality alone ("WRAT") generally outperformed models with neighborhood deprivation ("ADI") or race ("Race") alone for memory and language tests while "Race" models performed better for executive function tests. Adding neighborhood deprivation to education quality ("WRAT + ADI") did not improve models vs using "WRAT" alone. Across all domains/tests, the concordance compared with the "Full" model was lower for "Education" and "ADI" models than for other nested models. Although numbers were small, there was greater discordance among Black (range = 8.2%-23.2%) compared with White (range = 2.2%-3.4%) participants, particularly for Boston Naming Test and executive function tests. Education quality outperformed neighborhood disadvantage as an additional/alternative SDoH measure in normative models and may be useful to collect in cognitive aging studies. While performance varied across cognitive domains and tests, routinely reported SDoH variables (education level, education quality, late-life neighborhood deprivation) did not fully account for observed ethnoracial variability; future work should evaluate SDoH across the lifespan in more ethnoracially diverse populations.

Associations of accelerometer-measured physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep with next-day cognitive performance in older adults: a micro-longitudinal study

BackgroundPrevious studies suggest short-term cognitive benefits of physical activity occurring minutes to hours after exercise. Whether these benefits persist the following day and the role of sleep is unclear. We examined associations of accelerometer-assessed physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep with next-day cognitive performance in older adults.MethodsBritish adults aged 50-83 years (N = 76) without evidence of cognitive impairment or dementia wore accelerometers for eight days, and took daily cognitive tests of attention, memory, psychomotor speed, executive function, and processing speed. Physical behaviour (time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity [MVPA], light physical activity [LPA], and sedentary behaviour [SB]) and sleep characteristics (overnight sleep duration, time spent in rapid eye movement [REM] sleep and slow wave sleep [SWS]) were extracted from accelerometers, with sleep stages derived using a novel polysomnography-validated machine learning algorithm. We used linear mixed models to examine associations of physical activity and sleep with next-day cognitive performance, after accounting for habitual physical activity and sleep patterns during the study period and other temporal and contextual factors.ResultsAn additional 30 min of MVPA on the previous day was associated with episodic memory scores 0.15 standard deviations (SD; 95% confidence interval = 0.01 to 0.29; p = 0.03) higher and working memory scores 0.16 SD (0.03 to 0.28; p = 0.01) higher. Each 30-min increase in SB was associated with working memory scores 0.05 SD (0.00 to 0.09) lower (p = 0.03); adjustment for sleep characteristics on the previous night did not substantively change these results. Independent of MVPA on the previous day, sleep duration ≥ 6 h (compared with < 6 h) on the previous night was associated with episodic memory scores 0.60 SD (0.16 to 1.03) higher (p = 0.008) and psychomotor speed 0.34 SD (0.04 to 0.65) faster (p = 0.03). Each 30-min increase in REM sleep on the previous night was associated with 0.13 SD (0.00 to 0.25) higher attention scores (p = 0.04); a 30-min increase in SWS was associated with 0.17 SD (0.05 to 0.29) higher episodic memory scores (p = 0.008).ConclusionsMemory benefits of MVPA may persist for 24 h; longer sleep duration, particularly more time spent in SWS, could independently contribute to these benefits.

Migrant students’ self-reported executive function skills in relation to mental health, postmigration stress, and positive appraisals of self and the social context

ABSTRACT Background: Refugee and non-refugee migrant youths may carry a double burden of past adversities and post-migration stress while trying to continue schooling and adapt to their new social and cultural environment. Executive functioning skills are central to learning and navigating in the new context. Knowledge of how young migrants’ executive functioning is associated with stressful factors and positive or potentially protective factors, could contribute to understanding and possibly finding ways to support these young learners. Objective: To investigate how potentially stressful and positive factors are associated with executive function skills. Method: In a secondary, explorative analysis of questionnaire responses from 1312 migrant students in secondary schools in five European countries, the associations of planning- and initiative executive function skills (PIS-EF) with stressful factors (e.g. emotional and behavioural problems, daily stress, discrimination) and positive factors (e.g. resilience, school belonging, social support) were analysed by linear regression. Furthermore, differences between male/female and refugee/non-refugee migrants were examined. Results: Positive factors accounted for almost one-fifth of the variance in the students’ self-reported PIS-EF and stress factors only one-tenth. Resilience showed the strongest association with students’ PIS-EF, followed by Prosocial behaviour and School belonging. Hyperactivity, and symptoms of anxiety and depression were negatively associated with PIS-EF. Posttraumatic stress symptoms were minimally associated with the investigated aspects of executive functions. Adjusted for other variables, no variables showed significant differences in the association with EF between males and females, and refugee and non-refugee migrant students. Conclusions: Positive factors were more strongly associated with executive functioning than stressful factors and could represent pathways to strengthen executive functioning. To support migrant youths’ functioning, the school, healthcare, and social systems should take a resource-oriented perspective and lay the ground for migrant youth's feeling of belongingness and active use of their personal resources.

The mediating role of processing speed on the relationship between executive functions and social cognition in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients.

This study examined the mediating role of processing speed between executive functions and social cognition in 67 relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients. Executive functions were assessed using the Trail Making Test-Part B (TMT-B) and the Stroop Neuropsychological Screening Test (SNST); social cognition with the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET); and processing speed with the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). Mediated effects were explored using a series of regression analyses and were further confirmed through bootstrapping procedures. Results revealed that processing speed partially mediated the relationship between cognitive shifting (TMT-B) and social cognition (RMET), and fully mediated the relationship between inhibitory control (SNST) and social cognition (RMET). These findings highlight the importance of processing speed in the socio-cognitive impairments observed in RRMS patients, thus suggesting that comprehensive assessments and targeted interventions in this clinical group.

Revisiting working memory 50 years after Baddeley and Hitch: A review of field-specific conceptualisations, use and misuse, and paths forward for studying children.

As trained educational and developmental psychologists who study the role of working memory in educational outcomes, we know the various assumptions made about definitions and measurements of this cognitive ability. Considering the popularity of the Baddeley and Hitch working memory model in these fields, we raise challenges related to measurement, overlap with executive function, and adopting working memory measurement approaches from adult models. We propose that researchers consider how working memory tasks might tap multiple other abilities. This is problematic in the context of child cognitive development and in understanding which factors explain educational outcomes in children. We recommend giving greater attention to the central executive, acknowledging the overlap between the central executive and executive function in study design, and investigating a developmental model in the context of the broader abilities evoked in measurement. These recommendations may provide a fuller understanding of working memory's mechanistic role in children's learning and development and assist in developing reasonable adjustments for specific aspects of working memory for children who struggle.

Noninvasive Brain Stimulation for Improving Cognitive Deficits and Clinical Symptoms in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective: Noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) is a promising complementary treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, its efficacy varies due to diverse participant profiles and methodologies. This meta-analysis, registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023457269), seeks to assess NIBS efficacy in improving cognitive deficits and clinical symptoms in individuals with ADHD. Methods: We systematically searched five databases (October 2024) for randomized controlled trials focusing on cognitive functions and clinical symptoms in individuals meeting the DSM/ICD criteria for ADHD. A meta-analytical synthesis was conducted using RevMan 5.4.1. Results: Meta-analyses found significant improvement in inhibitory control, working memory, and inattention in active transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) groups compared with sham groups. Conversely, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) did not demonstrate significant therapeutic benefits for ADHD symptoms. Additionally, four transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) and three transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) studies demonstrated promising improvements in executive functions and the alleviation of ADHD symptoms. Conclusions: The findings from this meta-analysis highlight NIBS as a promising adjunctive therapy for managing ADHD, advancing both theoretical knowledge and practical treatment options in this field.

Possible Impact of Peripheral Inflammatory Factors and Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) on Cognitive Functioning in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy–Richardson Syndrome (PSP-RS) and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy–Predominant Parkinsonism (PSP-P)

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a tauopathic atypical parkinsonian syndrome. Recent studies suggest that inflammation may play a role in PSP pathogenesis, highlighting markers like the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-6. This study aimed to assess the relationship between peripheral inflammatory markers and psychological abnormalities in PSP-RS and PSP-P patients. The study included 24 participants: 12 with PSP-RS, 12 with PSP-P, and 12 controls. Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA); however, the executive functions were evaluated using the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), while inflammatory markers such as IL-1β, IL6, NLR, and PLR were measured. The parameter correlation was executed using Spearman’s correlation (rs). The analysis revealed significant negative correlations between NLR and MoCA (rs = −0.48), as well as between PLR and MoCA (rs = −0.60). The negative correlation between IL-1β and MoCA was statistically significant but relatively weak. This study highlights the relevance of inflammatory markers such as NLR and PLR in reflecting cognitive decline in PSP patients, with IL-1β potentially playing a protective role in cognitive function.

Association of plasma homocysteine with cognitive impairment in patients with Parkinson’s disease

BackgroundElevated plasma homocysteine (Hcy) has been reported as a risk factor for cognitive impairment in the general population. However, there are conflicting results regarding the relationship between Hcy and cognitive impairment across various cognitive domains in Parkinson’s disease (PD).ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the association between plasma Hcy levels, cognitive impairment, and dysfunction in various cognitive domains among PD patients with and without mild cognitive impairment (MCI).MethodsA total of 101 PD patients underwent plasma Hcy measurement, comprising 50 PD-MCI patients and 51 patients with normal cognition (PD-NC). A battery of neuropsychological tests was administered to assess different cognitive domains. Adjusted generalized linear models were used to assess the correlations between Hcy levels and cognitive functions.ResultsAs anticipated, PD-MCI patients demonstrated a significant decline in cognitive function across all five cognitive domains (memory, executive function, attention/working memory, language, and visuospatial function). Elevated plasma Hcy levels (≥ 10 μmol/L) were associated with a higher odds of PD-MCI, even within the normal range of Hcy levels (&amp;lt; 15 μmol/L). After adjusting for confounding factors, a negative correlation was observed between plasma Hcy levels and the performance on specific cognitive tests evaluating executive functions in PD, such as the Stroop Color-Word Test-C (β = −1.123, 95% CI = −1.845 ∼−0.401, p = 0.0023).ConclusionThis study underscores a significant link between plasma Hcy levels and PD-MCI, particularly concerning executive dysfunction, even within the normal range of Hcy levels (&amp;lt; 15 μmol/L).

Driving after Concussion: Symptom Clusters and Neurocognition Uniquely Relate to Post-Concussion Driving Performance.

To identify clinical concussion assessment outcomes that uniquely capture simulated driving performance among acutely concussed individuals, relative to controls. Cross-sectional design. Twenty-eight college students within 72-hours of concussion and 46 non-concussed controls participated in the study. We collected the following clinical concussion assessment outcomes: 4 concussion symptom clusters, 7 computerized neurocognitive domain scores, Standardized Assessment of Concussion (SAC) total score, Balance Error Scoring System total score, and tandem gait completion time. The following simulated driving outcomes were included (count): total collisions, speed exceedances, centerline crossings, and road edge excursions. We used separate generalized linear mixed regression models fit using a Poisson distribution with group, assessment, and interaction effects. Higher migrainous symptoms (p < 0.001), cognitive-fatigue symptoms (p = 0.041), poorer visual memory (p = 0.015), and slower reaction time (p = 0.023) in concussion group were associated with higher risk of committing speed exceedances, relative to controls. Conversely, better performance on the continuous performance test (p = 0.046) and SAC (p = 0.045) in concussion group were associated with higher risk of committing speed exceedances relative to controls. Poorer performance on psychomotor speed (p = 0.001), reaction time (p = 0.031), cognitive flexibility (p = 0.004), and executive function (p = 0.003) were associated with higher risk of committing centerline crossings in concussion group, relative to controls. Conversely, better performance on the continuous performance test (p = 0.035) and higher affective symptoms (p = 0.013) were associated with higher risk of committing centerline crossings and road edge excursions, respectively. relative to controls. Our results highlight key symptom clusters and computerized neurocognitive outcomes that uniquely inform poorer simulated driving performance in acutely concussed individuals. Symptom clusters and computerized neurocognitive function might be helpful when discussing with patients about return to driving decisions post-concussion.

Cognitive and Neurobiological Correlates for Switching/Inhibition Moderate the Relations Between Word Reading and Reading Comprehension in Hebrew-Speaking Children: An fMRI Study.

The expanded Simple View of Reading model suggests language processing and word reading as contributors to reading comprehension and points at the participation of executive functions as supporting these abilities. Switching and inhibition are both executive functions (EF) contributing to reading, especially in languages with two writing systems-shallow and deep, such as Hebrew. Here, we aimed to determine the specific role of switching/inhibition both cognitively and neurobiologically in the Simple View of Reading model among 49 eight- to 12-year-old Hebrew-speaking children. Children underwent reading and cognitive behavioural testing as well as a five-min resting-state fMRI scan. Functional connectivity of the fronto-parietal network related to switching/inhibition was determined and included in a moderation model. Results suggest that both switching/inhibition abilities and functional connectivity within the fronto-parietal network moderate the relations between word reading and reading comprehension. This strengthens the contribution of switching/inhibition to facilitating reading comprehension and supports the need to include it as part of the expanded SVR model.

Profiles of academic and cognitive abilities differ in younger and older children from diverse socioeconomic neighbourhoods

ABSTRACT Objective Research indicates that socioeconomic status (SES) influences developmental outcomes, particularly in language, executive functions, and intelligence, though findings have been mixed. This study examines the relationship between academic, cognitive and intellectual abilities in a cross-section of children at two age levels in low-SES vs. high-SES schools. Method We administered a computerised battery of tests to 46 children in Grade Two (youngest 6.9 years old) and 67 children in Grade Six (oldest 12.4 years old) across four primary schools from low-SES and high-SES neighbourhoods. The test battery comprised two academic ability tests, five cognitive ability tests, and two intelligence tests. Results In Grade Two, the low-SES group showed disadvantages on all measures except the Wisconsin Card Sorting Task and Choice Reaction Time. In Grade Six, while academic differences persisted between SES groups, cognitive differences were limited to the Wisconsin Card Sorting Task, where the high-SES group performed better than the low-SES group. Conclusions Though our results pertain to cross-sectional data using neighbourhood indices of SES, our findings contrast with previous research showing broad and pervasive disadvantages associated with lower SES. Future research should further examine the potential differences and similarities in developmental outcomes across SES groups using longitudinal methods.

Long -term multimodal exercise intervention for patients with frontotemporal lobar degeneration: Feasibility and preliminary outcomes

Introduction: After Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) is the second most common form of early-onset dementia. Despite the heavy burden of care for FTLD, pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments with sufficient efficacy remain scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a multimodal exercise program for FTLD and to examine preliminary changes in the clinical outcomes of the program in FTLD. Methods: This single-arm preliminary study was conducted from July 2017 to July 2018 and recruited four male patients with FTLD aged 60–78 years. Patients exercised under the supervision of an exercise instructor once every 2 weeks for 48 weeks. The multimodal exercise program comprised cognitive training, moderate-intensity continuous training, strength training, balance training, and flexibility and relaxation training. Feasibility was measured using dropout and attendance rates. Cognitive, psychological, physical, and behavioral function tests were conducted before and after the intervention. Results: All patients completed the intervention (100%) and attended well (93.6%). Positive changes in scores in the Stroop Color Word Test (cognitive; 5 out of 6 items), Mood Check List-short form 2 (psychological), movement subscales of the Stereotypy Rating Inventory (behavioral), and timed up-and-go (TUG, physical) assessments demonstrated a medium-to-high effect size (open effect size: 0.52–0.97). While there were improvements in some domains, such as recovery self-efficacy and exercise efficacy, the MMSE-J scores showed an overall slight decline, especially in the SD case where a marked decrease was observed. Additionally, three physical function items showed no effect, except for a positive outcome in the TUG test. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) revealed increased activation in the frontal lobe, indicated by elevated oxygenated hemoglobin levels before and after the exercise intervention. This pattern of activation suggests that the intervention may have stimulated neural activity in the frontal lobe, potentially enhancing cognitive and behavioral functions, including executive function and attention. Conclusion: The long-term multimodal exercise intervention may be feasible and positively change the cognitive, psychological, physical, and behavioral functions in older adults with FTLD. Although the intervention led to improvements in certain areas, there were also declines observed in various functions, which may not necessarily be due to the intervention itself but rather reflect the natural progression of the disease.

Effects of mind-body exercise on individuals with ADHD: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of mind-body exercise (MBE) on ADHD through a systematic review and meta-analysis.MethodsAfter identifying relevant search keywords based on the study’s technical terminology, research articles were retrieved from five databases. Two researchers independently screened the results to select studies that met the inclusion criteria. A random-effects model was used to conduct a meta-analysis on the included studies.ResultsThe findings indicate that MBE interventions significantly improved attention in individuals with ADHD [SMD=-0.97, 95% CI (-1.56, -0.39), P &amp;lt; 0.05]. However, the meta-analysis found no evidence that MBE improved executive function, emotional issues, or hyperactivity/impulsivity in ADHD patients.ConclusionsMBE is beneficial for attention improvement in ADHD patients. However, further evidence is needed to support its efficacy as an adjunctive treatment for other symptoms.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero, identifier CRD42023447510.

Unraveling the relationship between executive function and mind wandering in childhood ADHD

ABSTRACT Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders in children. According to developmental literature findings, there is a link between executive function (EF) and ADHD. Although EF deficits vary across ADHD presentations in children, working memory capacity is commonly associated with attention impairments. Notably, deficits in working memory capacity are also observed in frequent mind wandering reports for typically developing children. Mind wandering is shifting attention away from a current task to an unrelated thought. To explore the relationship between EF and mind wandering in children with ADHD (n = 47) and further compare our current sample to a typically developing (control) group from a previous study (n = 47), all participants completed three EF-related tasks. They concurrently reported if they were on task or mind wandering. Our results indicate better short-term memory capacity predicted lower mind wandering frequency in children who reported high levels of ADHD symptoms. Similar trends were observed for working memory capacity and ADHD symptomatology. Children with ADHD also reported more overall and unintentional mind wandering on questionnaires compared to children without ADHD. However, the relationship between EF and mind wandering did not differ between these groups. The current study suggests memory-related cognitive abilities may inform our understanding and management of mind wandering in children, driving the development of interventions targeting attention regulation.

Children's executive functions predict their preferences for emotion regulation strategies

ABSTRACT The development of emotion regulation (ER) in early childhood is shaped by the development of cognitive skills, particularly executive functions (EF). However, it remains unclear whether specific types of EFs differentially predict ER strategies across various emotional contexts. The current study aimed to explore the association between children's EFs (e.g. attentional control, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility) and children's cognitive vs. behavioural ER strategies preference for sad, fear, and anger contexts. Participants were 78 8- to 12-year-old Latine or part-Latine children (50% female, low- to middle-SES category) recruited in Southern California. Across sadness, fear, and anger contexts, greater reports of cognitive ER strategies were predicted by higher attentional control and being female. However, no significant association was found between children's EFs and their reports of behavioural ER strategies. Specifically, in events triggering sadness (as opposed to fear or anger), higher attentional control predicted a greater report of cognitive ER strategies, whereas lower attentional control predicted a greater report of behavioural ER strategies. Our findings offer valuable additional insights into the existing literature, highlighting the link between children's increased EF skills, their higher preferences for cognitive ER strategies, and their reduced reliance on behavioural ER strategies.