Key Executive Function Research Articles

Driving Under Cognitive Control: The Impact of Executive Functions in Driving

This review will explore the role of executive functions and the impact they have in facilitating the skills of vehicle operation. Executive functions are critical for the decision-making process, problem-solving, and multitasking. They are considered the primary factors in driving cases that demand drivers to react quickly and adapt to certain situations. Based on the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, this study aims to investigate, analyze, and categorize higher mental skills and their qualities directly related to driving. The literature review was performed in the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar, using the article collections’ snowball search technique. The results suggest that key executive functions like working memory and inhibitory control are closely related to risky behavior and driving errors that lead to accidents. This review adds valuable insight by highlighting the significance of their contribution to future research, driver educational programs, and technology for improving driver safety. Consequently, collecting recent data will contribute to understanding new parameters that influence driving behavior, creating the possibility for appropriate proposals for future research.

Exercising with virtual reality is potentially better for the working memory and positive mood than cycling alone

Background and aimsAlthough virtual reality (VR) exercise has attracted attention as a factor in exercise habituation due to its mood-enhancing effects, its impact on brain function remains unclear. This study aimed to explore how VR exercise affects working memory, a key executive function, and its underlying neural mechanisms. MethodsThe study involved 23 healthy university students who engaged in exercise in a VR environment. Outcomes included cardiorespiratory and psychological assessments, as well as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). ResultsOur findings indicate that a 10-min VR exercise session improved mood (arousal and vitality level) and working memory task performance (3-back task) more effectively than exercise or rest alone. Furthermore, the results confirmed that increased vitality from both exercise and VR exercise interventions was associated with improved 3-back task performance. However, specific brain regions contributing to this enhancement remain unidentified. ConclusionThese results highlight VR exercise as an optimal exercise program for enhancing working memory function by increasing vitality levels. These insights underscore the potential of VR as a novel exercise modality, with benefits extending beyond exercise adherence to potentially prevent dementia and depression.

“The Videos Made Me Feel Less Alone”: Feasible Executive Function Supports For Families

Executive function challenges are linked to important outcomes in adulthood, including mental and physical health and employment. Executive function skills can be taught but require support for generalization into home and school settings. The present study examined the feasibility of a series of brief videos (e.g., animations, expert and caregiver interviews) for caregivers of children with symptoms consistent with a neurodevelopmental disorder and flexibility or planning/organization problems. Caregivers (n = 102) viewed 12 videos over a four-month time period that describe ways to support and model executive function skills for their children. Quantitative and qualitative feedback suggest caregivers found the videos acceptable, feasible, and that they changed their view of their child’s EF challenges. In addition, caregiver knowledge of key executive function strategies and concepts improved. Results suggested these videos show promise to reduce caregiver-reported sense of strain and child executive function problems; however, caregiver competence did not improve from pre- to post-video review. These findings suggest even brief, online, and asynchronous caregiver-oriented instructional videos on executive function supports may improve caregiver and child outcomes. Moreover, they raise the possibility that low-cost, highly accessible caregiver support tools may yield important benefits for a common and potent childhood difficulty. Given the present study is a preliminary feasibility study of the caregiver support videos, future randomized controlled trials are necessary to fully examine caregiver- and child-related outcomes.

Acetylcholine deficit causes dysfunctional inhibitory control in an aging-dependent manner

Inhibitory control is a key executive function that limits unnecessary thoughts and actions, enabling an organism to appropriately execute goal-driven behaviors. The efficiency of this inhibitory capacity declines with normal aging or in neurodegenerative dementias similar to memory or other cognitive functions. Acetylcholine signaling is crucial for executive function and also diminishes with aging. Acetylcholine’s contribution to the aging- or dementia-related decline in inhibitory control, however, remains elusive. We addressed this in Drosophila using a Go/No-Go task that measures inhibition capacity. Here, we report that inhibition capacity declines with aging in wild-type flies, which is mitigated by lessening acetylcholine breakdown and augmented by reducing acetylcholine biosynthesis. We identified the mushroom body (MB) γ neurons as a chief neural site for acetylcholine’s contribution to the aging-associated inhibitory control deficit. In addition, we found that the MB output neurons MBON-γ2α’1 having dendrites at the MB γ2 and α’1 lobes and axons projecting to the superior medial protocerebrum and the crepine is critical for sustained movement suppression per se. This study reveals, for the first time, the central role of acetylcholine in the aging-associated loss of inhibitory control and provides a framework for further mechanistic studies.

Executive Function, Metacognition, and Language: Promoting Student Success With Explicit Strategy Instruction

Purpose:The purpose of this clinical focus article was to discuss the important relationship between executive function and language skills and to provide speech-language pathologists (SLPs) with strategies for promoting student success.Background and Method:The impact of executive function processes on language and literacy begins in the preschool years and becomes increasingly important from third grade onward. These executive function processes play a more dominant role when tasks require students to integrate and synthesize multiple linguistic and other subskills in order to read and comprehend, write, complete projects, and study for quizzes and tests. In this clinical focus article, we provide a brief overview of research-based executive function strategies that are beneficial for all learners and are essential for students with language weaknesses as well as learning and attention difficulties. We focus on the key executive function processes that are the foundation of academic performance, namely, goal setting, organizing and prioritizing, thinking and problem-solving flexibly, accessing information in working memory, and self-monitoring. We discuss a theoretical framework for understanding and promoting metacognition and executive function as part of assessment and treatment plans for SLPs. Finally, we address the importance of executive function strategies for improving students' effort, academic performance, and resilience.Conclusion:SLPs can promote student success by offering structured and systematic approaches to teaching executive function strategies.

Internal manipulation of perceptual representations in human flexible cognition: A computational model

Executive functions represent a set of processes in goal-directed cognition that depend on integrated cortical-basal ganglia brain systems and form the basis of flexible human behaviour. Several computational models have been proposed for studying cognitive flexibility as a key executive function and the Wisconsin card sorting test (WCST) that represents an important neuropsychological tool to investigate it. These models clarify important aspects that underlie cognitive flexibility, particularly decision-making, motor response, and feedback-dependent learning processes. However, several studies suggest that the categorisation processes involved in the solution of the WCST include an additional computational stage of category representation that supports the other processes. Surprisingly, all models of the WCST ignore this fundamental stage and they assume that decision making directly triggers actions. Thus, we propose a novel hypothesis where the key mechanisms of cognitive flexibility and goal-directed behaviour rely on the acquisition of suitable representations of percepts and their top-down internal manipulation. Moreover, we propose a neuro-inspired computational model to operationalise this hypothesis. The capacity of the model to support cognitive flexibility was validated by systematically reproducing and interpreting the behaviour exhibited in the WCST by young and old healthy adults, and by frontal and Parkinson patients. The results corroborate and further articulate the hypothesis that the internal manipulation of representations is a core process in goal-directed flexible cognition.

Executive Function, Working Memory, and Verbal Fluency in Relation to Non-Verbal Intelligence in Greek-Speaking School-Age Children with Developmental Language Disorder.

Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is often associated with impairments in working memory (WM), executive functions (EF), and verbal fluency. Moreover, increasing evidence shows poorer performance of children with DLD on non-verbal intelligence tests relative to their typically developing (TD) peers. Yet, the degree and generality of relevant difficulties remain unclear. The present study aimed at investigating WM capacity, key EFs and verbal fluency in relation to non-verbal intelligence in Greek-speaking school-age children with DLD, compared to TD peers (8–9 years). To our knowledge, the present study is the first to attempt a systematic relevant assessment with Greek-speaking school-age children, complementing previous studies mostly involving English-speaking participants. The results showed that children with DLD scored lower than TD peers on the non-verbal intelligence measure. Groups did not differ in the inhibition measures obtained (tapping resistance to either distractor or proactive interference), but children with DLD were outperformed by TD peers in the WM capacity, updating, monitoring (mixing cost), and verbal fluency (phonological and semantic) measures. The effects showed limited (in the case of backward digit recall) or no dependence on non-verbal intelligence. Findings are discussed in terms of their theoretical and practical implications as well as in relation to future lines of research.

Abstract OT-05-01: Fine-sliced neurocognitive assessments and high-resolution neuroimaging biomarkers to diagnose cancer- and chemotherapy-induced cognitive deficits (CCICD) - a pilot study

Abstract Background: Significant progress has been made in cancer survival, however there is much room for improvement in supportive cancer care. “Chemo-brain” is the lay language that some patients use to describe a cognitive fog or mental fuzziness that they experience soon after chemotherapy (CT) and that can last more than a decade after CT has ended. In this study, we examine the notion of accelerated cognitive aging as a potential side effect of cytotoxic CT.While CCICD has been widely researched, its underlying biological mechanisms are yet to be sufficiently elucidated. The long-range goals of this study are to (a) yield clinically valid diagnostic criteria for CCICD by the identification of fine-sliced neurocognitive measures that can reliably capture within-subject, nuanced, cognitive changes pre/post CT; and (b) identify brain-based biomarkers that can leverage future systemic therapies or adjunctive medications that are neuroprotective. Trial design: The study takes advantage of greater clarity offered by high-resolution neuroimaging (7Tesla) to delve into biomarkers associated with the neurotoxic effects of the common chemotherapeutic agents doxorubicin, paclitaxel, docetaxel, and cyclophosphamide on brain metabolism and iron homeostasis, which may result in CCICD. We innovate by harnessing magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) together with quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), a trio that has rarely been combined in 7T imaging, to uncover biomarkers related to CCICD. In this high-resolution imaging environment, we hope to individually isolate and track changes in key neuronal metabolites such as glutamate and glutamine using MRS (pre- and post-CT), in a prospective, longitudinal study. At these two time-points, we simultaneously use QSM to identify regions of increased iron deposits (associated with doxorubicin) in the brain along white matter tracts as well as DTI to assess white matter degeneration.We selected fine-sliced measurements of cognitive updating, mental flexibility and impulse control, the key executive function (EF) deficits associated with CCICD. These and other global EF measures are administered pre/post-CT (within a period of 4-6 months), while assessments of depression, anxiety, sleep, and pain will be administered via a weekly online questionnaire during CT.Eligibility criteria: Eligible patients are adults (age ≥18) with either early stage HER2 negative breast cancer or diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who will receive curative-intent combination CT, to include cyclophosphamide. Patients are excluded if they have a prior history of cancer diagnosis or treatment. Patients would have to be 7T MRI compatible.Specific Aims: To obtain preliminary estimates of the change in EF measures, brain metabolite, iron concentrations, and white matter degeneration in patients pre- and post-CT, to inform a subsequent larger trial.Statistical methods: The proposed sample (N=9) size achieves 74.8% power to detect a 1 SD change with a significance level of 0.05 using a two-sided, one-sample t-test for the pairwise difference. Estimates and 95% confidence intervals will be reported. Additionally, the relationship between executive function, brain metabolite, iron concentrations and white matter degeneration will be explored. Present and Target accrual: Accrual has thus far been delayed, partially due to due to COVID-19 restrictions on clinical research, beginning in March 2020. Target accrual is 9 patients.Contact information: Kanchna-ramchandran@uiowa.edu, Phone: 319-356-0535. Citation Format: Kanchna Ramchandran, Sneha Phadke, Sarah Mott, Grerk Sutamtewagul, Mark Karwal, Vince Magnotta. Fine-sliced neurocognitive assessments and high-resolution neuroimaging biomarkers to diagnose cancer- and chemotherapy-induced cognitive deficits (CCICD) - a pilot study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Virtual Symposium; 2020 Dec 8-11; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(4 Suppl):Abstract nr OT-05-01.

Shifting as a key executive function underlying cognitive restructuring for individuals with elevated social anxiety.

Previous studies have examined the relationship between executive functions and performance on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) tasks, such as cognitive restructuring. However, previous studies have used samples of older adults and only traditional measures of executive functions involving non-emotional stimuli. This study extends previous research to examine the specific executive function of shifting with regard to non-emotional and emotional stimuli and its relationship with cognitive restructuring, in a sample of young to middle-aged adults with elevated social anxiety. Cross-sectional study. Participants (N=49) completed a standard Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), an emotional version of the WCST (eWCST), and a cognitive restructuring task prior to an impromptu speech task. Per cent perseverative errors (an indicator of shifting) from the WCST and eWCST, along with planned covariates, were used to predict three indicators of cognitive restructuring task performance: task response quality (production of helpful alternative thoughts), change in belief in negative thought, and peak anxiety during speech. As expected, higher per cent perseverative errors (i.e., poorer shifting) on the WCST predicted poorer ability during the cognitive restructuring task to produce helpful alternative thoughts to a negative thought about the impending speech task. However, WCST per cent perseverative errors did not predict the other indicators of cognitive restructuring task performance. eWCST per cent perseverative errors did not predict any of the indicators of cognitive restructuring task performance. The standard WCST may be sensitive to capturing the type of mental flexibility which is important for producing helpful alternative thinking during cognitive restructuring. Poorer shifting ability with regard to non-emotional stimuli in clients with elevated social anxiety may be related to poorer ability to produce helpful alternative thoughts during cognitive restructuring. For clinicians whose clients with elevated social anxiety are having difficulty with generating alternative thoughts during cognitive restructuring, clinicians should consider poor shifting ability as a potential contributing factor. Clinicians may need to provide further support for such clients during cognitive restructuring (e.g., greater emphasis on Socratic questioning to better facilitate alternative thinking).

Emotion regulation strategies modulate the effect of adverse childhood experiences on perceived chronicstress with implications for cognitive flexibility.

Exposure to early life adversity is associated with chronic stress and a range of stress-related health problems in adulthood. Since chronic stress debilitates activity in the prefrontal cortex (pFC), maladaptive regulatory strategies in response to stress have been proposed as one explanation for the impact of early life adversity on health outcomes in adulthood. We conducted a study to examine the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on cognitive flexibility, a key executive function implicated in activity in the pFC, in a sample of adults (N = 486). Additionally, we investigated whether perceptions of chronic stress in adulthood would mediate the influence of ACEs on cognitive flexibility. However, stress is a subjective experience, and emotion regulation strategies can attenuate the stress response. So, we also examined if individual differences in emotion regulation strategies would modulate the relationship between ACEs and chronic stress. Our results demonstrate that early life adversity, as characterized by ACEs, is associated with decreased cognitive flexibility in adulthood. Additionally, number of ACEs was positively correlated with perceived stress, which in turn was negatively correlated with cognitive flexibility. But, individual differences in the habitual use of emotion regulation strategies moderated the influence of ACEs on chronic stress. Specifically, habitual use of cognitive reappraisal attenuated the stress levels whereas habitual use of expressive suppression exacerbated stress levels. Overall, our study highlights the importance of examining emotion regulation in individuals who have experienced early life adversity.

Working Memory Load Selectively Influences Response Inhibition in a Stop Signal Task.

Inhibitory control is a key executive function and has been studied extensively using the stop signal task. By applying a simple race model that posits an independent race between a GO process responsible for initiation of responses and a STOP process responsible for inhibition of responses, one can estimate how long it takes an individual to inhibit an ongoing response, the stop signal reaction time. Here, we examined how stop signal reaction time can be affected by working memory. Participants engaged in a dual task; they completed a stop signal task under low and high working memory load conditions. Working memory capacity was also measured. We found that the STOP process was lengthened in the high, compared to the low, working memory load condition, as evidenced by differences in stop signal reaction time. The GO process was unaffected and working memory capacity could not account for differences across the load conditions. These results indicate that inhibitory control can be influenced by placing demands on working memory.

The Association Between Work-Related Rumination and Executive Function Using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function.

Work-related rumination has been associated with a number of health complaints, however, little is known about the underlying factors associated with rumination. Previous work using proxy measures of executive function showed work-related rumination to be negatively associated with executive function. In this paper, we report two studies that examined the association between work-related rumination and executive function utilizing an ecological valid measure of executive function: the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF-A, Roth et al., 2005). In study 1 (N = 63), high, relative to low work-related ruminators, were found to demonstrate lower executive function skills, in eight of the nine subscales of the BRIEF. The aim of study 2 (N = 237) was to identify, the key executive function subscale/s associated with work-related rumination. Controlling for known factors associated with work-related rumination (fatigue and sleep), regression analysis identified the behavioral regulation subscale “shift” as the key predictor within the model. Shift relates to our ability to switch attention, to think about different solutions, and dealing with and accepting change. It was concluded that these findings lend support for future research to develop interventions for enhancing shift ability, as an aid to reduce work-related ruminative thinking.

Self-Modulation of Premotor Cortex Interhemispheric Connectivity in a Real-Time Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Neurofeedback Study Using an Adaptive Approach.

Recent studies have reported on the feasibility of real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (rt-fMRI) neurofeedback (NF) training. Although modulation of blood oxygenation level-dependent signal of single brain regions in rt-fMRI NF is a well established technique, the same does not hold true for modulation of connectivity. Self-modulation of interregional connectivity is a potential alternative in clinical neuroscience applications, since long-range functional dysconnectivity is being increasingly recognized as a mechanism underlying neuropsychiatric disorders. In this study, a framework was designed to train participants to self-regulate, in real time, interhemispheric functional connectivity between bilateral premotor cortices. To this end, participants use a novel adaptive motor imagery task, with gradual frequency variation preventing activity plateaus and subsequent decreases in correlation of activity (three NF runs). Participants were able to upregulate and maintain interhemispheric connectivity using such adaptive approach, as measured by correlation analysis. Modulation was achieved by simultaneous volitional control of activity in premotor areas. Activation patterns in the downregulation condition led to significantly lower correlation values than those observed in the upregulation condition, in the first two NF runs. Comparison between runs with and without feedback showed enhanced activation in key reward, executive function, and cognitive control regions, suggesting NF promotes reward and the development of goal-directed behavior. This proof-of-principle study suggests that functional connectivity feedback can be used for volitional self-modulation of neuronal connectivity. Functional connectivity-based NF could serve as a possible therapeutic tool in diseases related to the impairment of interhemispheric connectivity, particularly in the context to motor training after stroke.

862-P: Association of Parent Executive Function and Child Glycemic Control in Type 1 Diabetes

Executive functions (EF) are a collection of effortful self-regulation abilities that control intentional behavior and promote regulation of thoughts and emotion. Parents of children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are charged with organizing management of child behavior while simultaneously engaging in beneficial health behaviors, all of which involve key EF tasks (e.g., attention, self-regulation, working memory, and problem solving). As such, individual parent EF abilities likely play a significant role in children’s diabetes management and health outcomes. This study examined the relation between parent EF and glycemic control in children with T1D. Fifty-two parents of children age 2-10 (M parent age = 37.4 years, 53.8% African American, M child age = 8.0, M diabetes duration = 3.7 years) with T1D were enrolled in the cross-sectional study at a pediatric diabetes clinic. Parents completed the Working Memory Index (Arithmetic and Digit Span) of the Wechsler Adult Intellectual Scale - Fourth Edition, Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, Self-Care Inventory-Parent, Center for Epidemiologic Scale - Depression and medical, psychiatric, and demographic history. Medical chart reviews were conducted to extract child glycemic control, diabetes health, and complications. Results from objective measures of EF demonstrated a positive association between Digit Span and A1C (r=-.25, p =.03), though not for Arithmetic and A1c (r = -0.14, p = 0.34). Linear regression was calculated to examine the relation between self-reported EF and adherence. Controlling for parent depressive symptoms, higher overall executive functioning was associated with higher adherence F(1, 51) = 7.78, p = .008, R2 = 0.13). There is an association between parent executive function and child glycemic control, which may be explained through differences in adherence behaviors. Future research should focus on parent EF screening in pediatric diabetes clinics and adapting cognitive interventions for this population. Disclosure C. Tully: None. S.P. Bento: None. S. Hamburger: None. M. Rose: None. R. Streisand: None.

Causal evidence of right temporal parietal junction involvement in implicit Theory of Mind processing

The ability to represent the internal thoughts, beliefs and desires of others, and recognise that these might be distinct from one's own, is crucial for adaptive social interaction. Such operations are thought to tap Theory of Mind (ToM), with its importance underscored by the link between ToM impairment and a range of neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., Autism and Schizophrenia). Extensive investigations into the neural substrates of ToM, when individuals have to make overt/explicit judgments concerning others, have highlighted a link with a network of regions including the temporal parietal junction (TPJ), particularly in the right hemisphere. Recently, evidence has emerged that ToM can also operate implicitly and that this may be particularly impaired in Autism. However, very few studies have examined the neural basis of implicit ToM and none have employed methods allowing casual inferences to be made. Here, using brain stimulation, a Sally-Anne false-belief task, and eye-tracking we show that right TPJ is causally involved in ToM judgments that are made implicitly. These findings have implications for characterising the neural substrates of a key executive function, determining the extent to which implicit and explicit ToM draw on overlapping neural architecture and, potentially, better understanding of disorders tied to ToM impairment.

Unilateral Stimulation of Subthalamic Nucleus Does Not Affect Inhibitory Control.

Despite the relevance of inhibitory control in shaping our behavior its neural substrates are still hotly debated. In this regard, it has been suggested that inhibitory control relies upon a right-lateralized network which involves the right subthalamic nucleus (STN). To assess the role of STN, we took advantage of a relatively rare model, i.e., advanced Parkinson's patients who received unilateral deep-brain stimulation (DBS) of the STN either of the left (n = 10) or of the right (n = 10) hemisphere. We gave them a stop-signal reaching task, and we compared patients' performance in two experimental conditions, DBS-ON and DBS-OFF. In addition, we also tested 22 age-matched healthy participants. As expected, we found that inhibitory control is impaired in Parkinson's patients with respect to healthy participants. However, neither reactive nor proactive inhibition is improved when either the right or the left DBS is active. We interpreted these findings in light of the fact that previous studies, exploiting exactly the same task, have shown that only bilateral STN DBS restores a near-normal inhibitory control. Thus, although null results have to be interpreted with caution, our current findings confirm that the right STN does not play a key role in suppressing pending actions. However, on the ground of previous studies, it is very likely that this subcortical structure is part of the brain network subserving inhibition but to implement this executive function both subthalamic nuclei must be simultaneously active. Our findings are of significance to other researchers studying the effects of STN DBS on key executive functions, such as impulsivity and inhibition and they are also of clinical relevance for determining the therapeutic benefits of STN DBS as they suggest that, at least as far as inhibitory control is concerned, it is better to implant DBS bilaterally than unilaterally.

The impairing effect of dyspnea on response inhibition.

Dyspnea (=breathlessness) is an aversive and threatening symptom in various prevalent diseases. Established treatment procedures aim for behavioral changes in dyspneic patients in order to treat dyspnea successfully. To achieve these behavioral changes, response inhibition as one key executive function for goal-directed behavior is an important prerequisite. However, the impact of dyspnea on response inhibition is widely unknown. Therefore, the present study aimed at testing whether experimentally induced dyspnea would impair response inhibition. Thirty-six healthy participants performed the color-word Stroop task during an unloaded baseline and a resistive load-induced dyspnea condition. Response inhibition was investigated using behavioral measures (reaction time, accuracy) and, based on literature, the late positive complex (LPC) in the electroencephalogram. Furthermore, the N400 was investigated in an exploratory analysis. The results showed significantly reduced accuracy for incongruent compared to congruent color-words in the Stroop task during the dyspnea condition (p < .001) which was paralleled by a smaller LPC and a more negative centro-parietal N400 for incongruent color-words during the dyspnea compared to the baseline condition (p < .05). Possibly, during dyspnea more neural resources are allocated towards the semantic processing of incongruent color-words indexed as the N400 which are then not available for the partly overlapping LPC as an index for response inhibition. These findings demonstrate that resistive load-induced dyspnea has an impairing effect on response inhibition in healthy participants, both in terms of behavioral performance and respective neural processing. This might impair treatment efforts aimed at behavioral changes in patients suffering from dyspnea.

Executive function underlies both perspective selection and calculation in Level-1 visual perspective taking

Previous research has suggested that the calculation of another’s perspective is cognitively efficient, whereas perspective selection (selection of a particular perspective, self or other) is associated with executive function, particularly inhibitory control. However, research has not previously tested how perspective calculation and selection may be associated with another key executive function, working memory. In the present study (N = 54 adult participants), we administered a Level-1 visual perspective task in a dual-task paradigm in which the secondary task required working memory. The results suggest that executive function is associated with both perspective calculation and perspective selection, contrary to previous evidence from similar dual-task studies that had used inhibitory control and attention-based secondary tasks. This contrast may suggest that working memory capacity facilitates perspective-taking. Furthermore, it may follow that the notion of simple perspective-taking is distinct from more the complex and cognitively demanding “theory of mind.” Research of this nature warrants further investigation.

74. The Role of Poor Response Inhibition in Onset and Growth of Substance Use and Aggressive Behaviours

The ability to inhibit pre-potent and goal inappropriate responses (i.e., response inhibition) is a key executive function for self-regulation of behaviours. It is also identified as a precursor to substance misuse and aggression in adolescents. However, it remains to be explained how the simple process of stopping a behavioural response, is implicated in emergence of substance use disorders and proactive interpersonal aggression.

Sleep Deprivation Triggers Cognitive Control Impairments in Task-Goal Switching.

This study investigates the impact of sleep deprivation (SD) on task-goal switching, a key component of cognitive flexibility. Task-goal switching performance was tested after one night of regular sleep (n = 17 participants) or of total SD (n = 18). To understand the relationships between task-switching performance and other cognitive processes following SD, participants were tested for other key attentional (alertness and vigilance) and executive (inhibition and working memory) functions. Spontaneous eye blink rate (EBR) was also measured as an indirect marker of striatal dopaminergic function. SD negatively affects task-goal switching as well as attentional and inhibition measures, but not working memory. Changes in task-goal switching performance were not significantly correlated with changes in objective and subjective markers of fatigue and sleepiness, response inhibition, or spontaneous EBR. Altogether, our results show differentiated effects of SD on key executive functions such as working memory, inhibition, and task-goal switching.