Role Of Executive Functions Research Articles

SA3 - REDUCED CORTICAL THICKNESS IN CHILDREN WITH ADHD: ROLE OF NET16 AND MATERNAL SMOKING DURING PREGNANCY

Background ADHD is the most common childhood-onset psychiatric disorder, affecting 5% of children. Costing over 7 bn $CAD annually, ADHD has broad negative impacts on the individual and society. Psychostimulants are effective in managing symptoms and implicate the catecholamine systems. ADHD is heterogeneous and arises by complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors. Despite the high heritability of ADHD (76%), causal genes have yet to be determined. A linkage study by our team uncovered a modest over transmittance of NET16 (rs36021) in ADHD children. Interestingly, upon stratification according to maternal smoking during pregnancy (MSDP), this result became highly significant in exposed children. Our findings indicate that MSDP plays a role in the etiology of ADHD, possibly through interaction with NET16. To shed light on the pathophysiology of ADHD, we used MRI to explore the impact of this interaction on cortical structures in children with ADHD. Methods We began by modelling the effects of (1) MSDP, (2) NET16, and (3) both MSDP and NET16 on the cortex. Subjects (n=143; 6–12 years) were recruited from an on-going clinical trial at the ADHD clinic. Genetic, epigenetic, environmental, cognitive, clinical and structural data were collected. Subjects were scanned on a 3 T Siemens MRI for 18 minutes to obtain T1/T2-weighted images. To address motion biases and minimize procedural failures, children rehearsed on a mock scanner and only scans that passed quality control were used in the analysis (n=111). CIVET-1.1.12 and RMINC were used to acquire cortical measurements and perform linear modelling. We included age, sex, medication, NET16 genotype group and MSDP as predictors, and cortical measurements as main outcome measures. Results (1) Our first model found no significant differences in cortical thickness among ADHD children exposed and not exposed to MSDP. (2) Our second model showed a moderate effect of NET16 genotype group on cortical thickness. Children belonging to the homozygous groups (AA, TT) had significant reductions in cortical thickness in the medial/inferior prefrontal cortex and the left inferior temporal lobe (t=2.46; 10% FDR) vs. children in the heterozygote group (AT). These regions have been previously associated with ADHD, where the PFC plays a role in executive functioning and the temporal lobes work alongside the amygdala to enable learning, memory and emotional responses. (3) Importantly, our third model combining MSDP and NET16 showed an even larger decrease in cortical thickness in the same regions (t=3.91; 5% FDR). Secondary analyses revealed that ADHD children with homozygous genotypes (AA, TT) exposed to MSDP were significantly more severe in a specific set of externalizing symptoms. Discussion We are aiming to provide a biological link between ADHD risk factors (NET16 and MSDP), cortical thickness and behavioural/clinical outcomes. Such findings can provide insight into the pathophysiology of ADHD, as well as play a role in the transcendent process of understanding the human brain. In accordance with the literature and our previous findings, our current results hint towards an association between decreased cortical thickness in the PFC and temporal lobes and increased ADHD symptom severity. Furthermore, it has been suggested that children exposed to MSDP have a distinct ADHD phenotype and respond well to certain treatments. Therefore, our findings can help diminish clinical heterogeneity by enabling clinicians to subgroup ADHD patients with regards to MSDP exposure.

The Role of Atomoxetine for Parkinson Disease-Related Executive Dysfunction: A Systematic Review.

Atomoxetine selectively inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrine. Given the noradrenergic system's role in executive function, pharmacotherapy options that affect norepinephrine are of particular clinical interest in Parkinson disease-related executive dysfunction. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of atomoxetine for Parkinson disease-related executive dysfunction. MEDLINE (1946 to May 2018) and EMBASE (1947 to May 2018) were queried using the search term combination: Parkinson's disease, Parkinson disease, inhibition, impulse behavior, impulse control disorder, executive function, executive dysfunction, cognition, cognitive dysfunction, cognitive defect, response inhibition, strategic planning, strategy, or verbal fluency and atomoxetine hydrochloride or atomoxetine. Studies analyzed for relevance evaluated clinical outcomes of patients treated with atomoxetine for Parkinson disease-related executive dysfunction. Studies appropriate to the objective were evaluated, including 1 open-label flexible dose trial, 2 placebo-controlled longitudinal trials, and 4 placebo-controlled crossover single-dose trials. In patients with Parkinson disease, treatment with atomoxetine resulted in improvements in several markers of executive dysfunction including impulsivity, risk taking, and global cognition. Study durations ranged from single-dose trials to 10 weeks and used varying doses of atomoxetine. Atomoxetine was well tolerated in most studies with some reports of gastrointestinal adverse effects and insomnia. Based on the reviewed literature, atomoxetine continues to be a therapy of interest for the treatment of executive dysfunction in patients with Parkinson disease. Larger long-term trials are necessary to further define the role of atomoxetine for patients with Parkinson disease-related executive dysfunction.

A natural history of the frontal cortex

The frontal cortex of mammals has been the site of significant reshuffles during the about 310 million years of mammalian evolution. The existence of the frontal lobe is linked to the emergence of major cognitive and motor abilities, from the elaboration of efficient problem-solving strategies to the use of language in human. However, presenting the frontal lobe of the human cortex in an evolutionary perspective is a real challenge, almost a wager lost in advance. Reasons are the following. Although present in all the mammalian species known so far, the frontal lobe, and especially its prefrontal domain, is one of the most variable brain regions among mammalian species, even among individuals. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) exhibits a lot of variations not only in size (from 35% of the total brain volume in human to less than 4% in the cat for example [1] ), but also in its connections, cell composition, branching pattern of neuronal processes, etc. Similar remarks can be made for other domains of the frontal cortex, including the motor and Broca's area for example. These variations do not fit with the phylogenetical position of the corresponding species, even in hominins, precluding any elaboration of a simple scenario of the evolution of the frontal cortex in mammals. Although disappointing at first glance, this observation points to the major influence of environment and lifestyle in shaping the functional anatomy of the frontal lobe during evolution. This has been rendered possible both by the extraordinary plasticity of the development of the frontal lobe, especially of the PFC, and by strong functional selection upon demanding environmental constraints. This is well exemplified by the discrepancies between overall brain volume and the size of the PFC in species like primates, cetaceans or carnivores [2] . Despite these large variations, some building principles seem to be at work to support the main functions of the frontal cortex. The frontal lobe includes the main motor area of the brain in all mammals, with different specializations. In contrast, the PFC is mostly an associative area receiving multimodal sensory cues and establishing connections with the basal ganglia , amygdala, insular and medial temporal cortex , all features conserved in mammals. Its orbito-frontal part is often defined by its afferent connections from the mediodorsal nucleus of thalamus. Then, it receives strong dopaminergic input from the mesocortical pathway , playing a crucial role in executive functions and motor planning. By definition, a PFC does not exist in species other than mammals, since only mammals have a six-layered cortical pallium. It is thus very striking that non-mammalian amniotes such as birds also display high cognitive flexibility and skills qualified as “intelligence”, and also often use languages in social communication, all functions that require a frontal cortex in mammals. In birds, and probably in other vertebrate species also, the same rules of functional organization of the pallium as those found for the mammalian cortex seem to operate and underlie similar sophisticated behaviors. In particular, the identification in some birds of a pallial structure exhibiting most of the main characteristics of the mammalian PFC is striking. Since this pallial structure is not homologous to the PFC in any respect, it strongly suggests that these executive structures have emerged independently during evolution [3] . Thus, very likely, similar functional constraints led the pallium of mammals and birds to converge on similar – yet independent – rules to build “executive” brain areas. Similar convergence holds true for the neural circuits underlying speech and languages, also in birds and primates. These types of convergences certainly exist in other groups of vertebrates such as teleost fishes. The frontal cortex is thus unique to mammals, but not the only one of its kind to have emerged during the evolution of the different vertebrate groups.

Alterations of Expression of the Serotonin 5-HT4 Receptor in Brain Disorders.

The serotonin 4 receptor, 5-HT4R, represents one of seven different serotonin receptor families and is implicated in a variety of physiological functions and their pathophysiological variants, such as mood and depression or anxiety, food intake and obesity or anorexia, or memory and memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease. Its central nervous system expression pattern in the forebrain, in particular in caudate putamen, the hippocampus and to lesser extent in the cortex, predispose it for a role in executive function and reward-related actions. In rodents, regional overexpression or knockdown in the prefrontal cortex or the nucleus accumbens of 5-HT4R was shown to impact mood and depression-like phenotypes, food intake and hypophagia; however, whether expression changes are causally involved in the etiology of such disorders is not clear. In this context, more data are emerging, especially based on PET technology and the use of ligand tracers that demonstrate altered 5-HT4R expression in brain disorders in humans, confirming data stemming from post-mortem tissue and preclinical animal models. In this review, we would like to present the current knowledge of 5-HT4R expression in brain regions relevant to mood/depression, reward and executive function with a focus on 5-HT4R expression changes in brain disorders or caused by drug treatment, at both the transcript and protein levels.

Cognitive functions underlying prospective memory deficits: A study on traumatic brain injury

This study investigates prospective memory (PM) deficits as well as the interplay between performance in executive functions (EFs), speed of processing, episodic memory and PM in traumatic brain injury (TBI), differentiating between time based and event based tasks. The Memory for Intentions Screening Test was administrated to a sample of 19 participants with TBI and 50 healthy controls. Tasks probing different EFs (i.e., shifting, updating/working memory, inhibition, and access to long term memory), speed of processing, and episodic memory were also administrated to the TBI group. PM deficits were found in participants with TBI compared to controls. In the role of EFs in PM, only tasks probing updating/working memory and access to the long-term memory showed to play a specific role in PM performance in TBI. However, while updating/working memory was related to both time and event based PM, access to the long term memory was associated to performance on time based PM task only. Speed of processing and retrospective memory abilities do not seem to play a specific role in PM deficit in TBI. Our results provide a better understanding of the PM deficit in TBI, which may contribute to improve existing rehabilitation programs for individuals with TBI.

Executive function deficit in betel-quid-dependent chewers: Mediating role of prefrontal cortical thickness.

Betel quid is the fourth most popular psychoactive agent worldwide. Neuroimaging studies have suggested betel-quid dependence is accompanied by abnormality in brain structure and function. However, the neural correlates of executive function deficit and prefrontal cortical thickness associated with betel-quid chewing still remain unclear. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between executive function deficit and prefrontal cortical thickness in chronic betel-quid chewers. Twenty-three betel-quid-dependent chewers and 26 healthy controls were recruited to participate in this study. Executive function was tested using three tasks. Cortical thickness analysis was analyzed with the FreeSurfer software package. Behavioral results suggested a profound deficit of executive function in betel-quid-dependent chewers. Cortical thickness analysis revealed thinner cortex in the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in betel-quid-dependent chewers. Further analysis suggested that cortical thickness of the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex mediated the correlation of betel-quid chewing and executive function. These results suggest the important role of executive function and cortical thickness of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex with betel-quid chewing. Our findings provide evidence that executive function deficit may be mediated by the cortical thickness of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. These results could potentially help us develop novel ways to diagnose and prevent betel-quid dependence.

Gut-brain axis in the executive function of austism spectrum disorder.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired communication and social interactions, and repetitive behavioural patterns. These patterns are believed to be dysfunctional symptoms in executive processing, which impact other cognitive functions such as attention or cognitive flexibility. In recent years, several studies have shown that certain intestinal bacteria may play a role in shaping cognitive networks encompassing emotional and social domains. A microbiota-gut-brain axis is known to exist, establishing several mechanisms by which microbiota may modulate brain development, function and behaviour, including immune, endocrine and neural pathways. As the aetiology of ASD is largely unknown, some studies have shown that intestinal bacteria may be involved in its pathogenesis. The aim of this review was to focus on the role of the gut-brain axis in ASD and, specifically, on its role in executive functions. First, we summarize the relationship between the gastrointestinal and cognitive symptoms of ASD patients. In addition, we highlight the evidence that supports and emphasizes the involvement of gut microbiota, and the putative underlying mechanisms in this population. Finally, we present evidence from preclinical and clinical studies on the modulation of microbiota and their effects on cognitive symptoms, specifically in relation to executive function. In conclusion, manipulation of microbiota could be a positive intervention to improve ASD symptoms. However, more research evaluating the role of microbiota in the cognitive symptoms ASD is needed.

Leading and Managing the Workplace: The Role of Executive Functions

Executive functions are the cognitive abilities that enable individuals to effectively manage their attention. The efficient management of attention facilitates performance when individuals must th...

The role of executive function in the construction and employment of scientific and mathematical concepts that require conceptual change learning

The role of executive function in the construction and employment of scientific and mathematical concepts that require conceptual change learning

Executive functions and health behaviors associated with the leading causes of death in the United States: A systematic review

Research indicates that executive functioning may predict health behavior. This systematic review provides an overview of the relationship between domains of executive functioning and health behaviors associated with the leading causes of death in the United States. A total of 114 articles met the inclusion criteria (adult sample, published in English between 1990 and November 2016) and were reviewed and synthesized. Results indicated that although many studies had mixed findings, at least one executive function component was associated with every health behavior. Based on these results, health professionals should consider the role of executive functions in behavior change interventions.

The Role of Executive Function in Adolescent Adaptive Risk-Taking on the Balloon Analogue Risk Task

ABSTRACTThe present study examined the role of executive control functions (ECF) in adaptive risk-taking during adolescence. Healthy individuals aged 8–25 were administered ECF measures and the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART), a computerized measure of risk-taking propensity.Findings demonstrated that adolescents who executed a more consistent response strategy evidenced better performance on the BART. Greater working memory (WM) predicted lower response variability and WM capacity mediated the relationship between age and variability. Results suggest that intra-individual response variability may index adaptive risk-taking and that the development of ECF, specifically WM, may play an integral role in adaptive decision making during adolescence and young adulthood.

Parents’ adverse childhood experiences and current relationships with their young children: the role of executive function

ABSTRACTThis study explored whether parents’ ability to regulate their behaviour and attention, assessed as components of everyday executive function (EF), was influenced by their past adverse experiences – such as abuse, neglect, and family dysfunction – and in turn, influenced current relationships with their children. The sample included 73 parent–child dyads from children enrolled in three Midwestern early childhood centres serving low-income children and families. Parents reported on their adverse childhood experiences, EF, and rated their relationship with their child. Findings indicate that more parental adverse childhood experiences were associated with higher ratings of parent–child conflict. This association was indirectly linked through parents’ EF. Interventions aimed at parent–child relationships can benefit from addressing parents’ past experiences and associated influences on parents’ EF.

The role of executive function in autobiographical memory retrieval: does the type of cue word matter?

ABSTRACTAutobiographical memories are memories for personally experienced life events. Previous research has revealed individual differences in the ability to recall specific memories that happened at a particular time and place. Some studies suggest such differences can be attributed to the varying capacity of executive function. However, little is known regarding which specific executive function skills predict autobiographical memory specificity. Participants were asked to complete multiple measures of executive function as well as an autobiographical memory task in which they were asked to recall a specific personal memory connected to concrete and abstract cue words. We hypothesised that executive function will be positively related to autobiographical memory specificity and that this relation will be moderated by the cue word type. The results revealed that individuals with higher executive function skills, specifically, higher inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility, recalled significantly more specific memories than those with lower executive function skills; however, no significant interaction between executive function ability and cue word type was found.

The role of executive function in social competence and behavioural problems in childhood education

Diversos estudios han encontrado una relación entre la función ejecutiva, los problemas de conducta y la competencia social. Sin embargo, hasta este momento, pocos estudios han investigado el papel de los distintos componentes de la función ejecutiva en la competencia social, o en los problemas de comportamiento más frecuentes en la educación infantil. Por esta razón, el objetivo principal de este artículo es evaluar la relación de las funciones ejecutivas con los problemas de conducta y la competencia social en la infancia. El estudio incluyó 260 estudiantes, de 5 años. Los resultados del análisis de ruta demostraron que todos los componentes de las funciones ejecutivas predicen, al menos, un problema de comportamiento. Sin embargo, solo los déficits en flexibilidad y memoria de trabajo predijeron adaptabilidad y habilidades sociales. En conclusión,

Laterality of cortical oxygenation in the prefrontal cortex during 20 min of moderate-intensity cycling exercise: A near-infrared spectroscopy study

Exercise therapy is a core component of rehabilitation for patients with cardiopulmonary disease and diabetes. A recent study showed that cognitive function improved after a single episode of moderate-intensity exercise. However, the laterality of cortical oxyhemoglobin (O 2 Hb) increases during exercise is unknown. We aimed to evaluate the laterality of O 2 Hb changes in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) during 20 min of moderate-intensity cycling exercise. Twelve healthy volunteers (9 women) participated. After a 3 min of rest, 20 min of exercise was performed at a workload of 50% VO 2peak , followed by 15 min of post-exercise rest. The O 2 Hb levels in the right (R-PFC) and left (L-PFC) prefrontal cortices were measured using a 34-channel, near-infrared spectrometry system. The O 2 Hb levels in each area were expressed as changes from the mean pre-exercise rest phase values. The O 2 Hb values in the last 5 min of the 20-min exercise period were averaged in both regions. The laterality index (LI) was calculated using the formula (L-PFC O 2 Hb–R-PFC O 2 Hb)/(L-PFC O 2 Hb + R-PFC O 2 Hb). A positive LI indicated that the increase in O 2 Hb in the L-PFC was larger than in the R-PFC; a negative LI indicated the opposite. O 2 Hb levels increased during the first 10 min and were maintained over the latter half of the exercise period in both R-PFC and L-PFC. The average O 2 Hb values in the last 5 min were 0.066 ± 0.013 mM·cm in the R-PFC and 0.085 ± 0.015 mM·cm in the L-PFC. The average LI of the PFC was 0.16 ± 0.10. L-PFC-dominant O 2 Hb increases were observed during 20 min of moderate-intensity cycling exercises. The L-PFC plays an important role in executive functions and verbal working memory, which might be promoted by 20 min of exercise.

The Role of Executive Functioning and Academic Achievement in the Academic Self-Concept of Children and Adolescents Referred for Neuropsychological Assessment.

The current study evaluated a model of youth academic self-concept which incorporates practical executive functioning behaviors and academic achievement. Though greater academic achievement has been linked to both positive self-concept and better executive functioning, these constructs have not been examined simultaneously. It was hypothesized that academic achievement would mediate the association between problems with executive functioning and academic self-concept such that youth with more problems with executive functioning would have lower academic achievement and, in turn, lower academic self-concept. Clinical data was analyzed from a diagnostically heterogeneous sample of youth (n = 122) who underwent neuropsychological evaluation. Problems with executive functioning were assessed using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function. Academic achievement was assessed using the Woodcock–Johnson Tests of Achievement or Wechsler Individual Achievement Test. Academic self-concept was assessed using the youth-report version of the Behavioral Assessment System for Children. Surprisingly, findings indicate that academic achievement is not significantly associated with problems with executive functioning or academic self-concept. However, greater problems with executive functioning are associated with decreased academic self-concept. The overall model included several covariates and accounted for 10% of the variance in academic self-concept. Findings suggest that executive skills may be essential for aligning academic achievement with classroom performance. Though various child characteristic covariates were included, the model accounted for a small amount of variance suggesting that future studies should examine contributing contextual factors.

Self-regulation and obesity: the role of executive function and delay discounting in the prediction of weight loss

Obesity rates are rising worldwide. Executive function and delay discounting have been hypothesized to play important roles in the self-regulation of behavior, and may explain variance in weight loss treatment success. First, we compared individuals with obesity (n = 82) to healthy weight controls (n = 71) on behavioral and self-report measures of executive function (working memory, inhibition and shifting) and delay discounting. Secondly, the individuals with obesity took part in a multidisciplinary weight loss program and we examined whether executive function and delay discounting predicted weight change. Individuals with obesity displayed weaker general and food-specific inhibition, and weaker self-reported executive function. Better behavioral working memory and better self-reported inhibition skills in daily life were predictive of greater weight loss. As findings are correlational, future studies should investigate the causal relationship between executive function and weight loss, and test whether intervening on executive function will lead to better prevention and treatment of obesity.

Reduced cognitive capacity impairs the malleability of older adults’ negative attitudes to stigmatized individuals

ABSTRACTBackground: Although engaging explicit regulatory strategies may reduce negative bias toward outgroup members, these strategies are cognitively demanding and thus may not be effective for older adults (OA) who have reduced cognitive resources. The current study therefore examines whether individual differences in cognitive capacity disrupt OA’ ability to explicitly regulate their bias to stigmatized individuals. Methods: Young and OA were instructed to explicitly regulate their negative bias toward stigmatized individuals by using an explicit reappraisal strategy. Regulatory success was assessed as a function of age and individual differences in cognitive capacity (Experiment 1). In Experiment 2, the role of executive function in implementing cognitive reappraisal strategies was examined by using a divided attention manipulation. Results: Results from Experiment 1 revealed that individual differences in OA’ cognitive capacity disrupted their ability to regulate their negative emotional response to stigma. In Experiment 2, it was found that dividing attention in young adults (YA) significantly reduced their regulatory success as compared to YA’ regulatory capacity in the full attention condition. As expected, dividing YA’ attention made their performance similar to OA with relatively preserved cognitive capacity. Conclusion: Together, the results from this study demonstrated that individual differences in cognitive capacity predicted OA’ ability to explicitly regulate their negative bias to a range of stigmatized individuals.

The cognitive ontogeny of tool making in children: The role of inhibition and hierarchical structuring

During the last decade, the ontogeny of tool making has received growing attention in the literature on tool-related behaviors. However, the cognitive demands underlying tool making are still not clearly understood. In this cross-sectional study of 52 Turkish preschool children from 3 to 6 years of age, the roles of executive function (response inhibition), ability to form hierarchical representations (hierarchical structuring), and social learning were investigated with the hook task previously used with children and animals. In this task, children needed to bend a pipe cleaner to fetch a small bucket with a sticker out of a tall jar. This study replicated earlier findings that preschoolers have great difficulty in tool innovation. However, social learning facilitates tool making, especially after 5 years of age. Capacities to form hierarchical representations and to inhibit prepotent responses were significant positive predictors of tool making after social learning.

Elevated Aortic Stiffness is Associated with Weaker Executive Function in Individuals with Lower Cognitive Reserve via Reductions in Frontal Cerebrovascular Reserve

IntroductionIndividuals with higher levels of formal education are hypothesized to tolerate greater brain pathology prior to the onset of cognitive decline via the ‘cognitive reserve’ (CR) hypothesis. Age‐related increases in aortic stiffness promotes the development of cerebrovascular dysfunction and independently predicts cognitive decline. However, the degree to which CR modulates relations between elevated aortic stiffness and cognitive performance is unknown. We hypothesized that 1) higher aortic stiffness (carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity, cfPWV) and systolic blood pressure (BP) would be associated with weaker cognitive performance in middle‐aged/older (MA/O) adults with lower but not higher CR; and 2) elevated cfPWV would be associated with reduced regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebrovascular reserve (CVR), or the ability to augment CBF in response to a physiological or pharmacological stimulus, in a subset of MA/O adults.Methods/ResultsOne hundred and thirty‐five MA/O (age 67.3 ± 0.7 yrs; range 55–85 yrs) adults were recruited. CR status was categorized by years of formal education as ‘lower’ (≤12 yrs, n=39) or ‘higher’ (>12 yrs, n=96). MA/O adults with lower CR performed weaker on global cognitive function (RBANS Total Scale, 95.1 ± 12.6 vs. 104.5 ± 12.2, p<0.001) and processing speed (Stroop Word Reading, 84.7 ± 2.2 vs. 91.2 ± 1.7, p=0.02) tasks compared with higher CR, but did not differ on executive function (Stroop Interference (33.4 ± 1.1 vs. 34.5 ± 0.8, p=0.38). Age, circulating lipids, BMI and BP did not differ between groups (all p>0.05). The following partial correlations were adjusted for age, sex, education, medications and mean arterial pressure (MAP, cfPWV only). Consistent with our hypothesis, weaker executive function was associated with elevated cfPWV (r= −0.45, p=0.017), central systolic BP (r= −0.46, p=0.038) and central pulse pressure (r= −0.47, p=0.032) in individuals with lower but not higher CR. Slower processing speed was related to greater central systolic BP (r= −0.44, p=0.047) in the lower CR group only. Finally, higher brachial systolic BP was associated with weaker executive function in both the lower (r= −0.43, p=0.02) and higher (r= −0.34, p= 0.004) CR groups. In a subset of these MA/O adults (n=24, age 70 ± 2.0 yrs), regional frontal CBF and CVR were measured using the ‘gold−standard’ [15O]Water PET imaging based on the frontal region's role in executive functioning. Elevated cfPWV was associated with reduced frontal CVR (r= −0.49, p=0.034) but not frontal CBF, after adjustment for age, sex and MAP and remained associated after adjustment for years of education (r= −0.50, p=0.034) or CR group (r= −0.47, p=0.049). Brachial systolic BP was not associated with frontal CVR or CBF.ConclusionMA/O adults with lower CR may be more sensitive to the adverse effects of age‐related increases in cfPWV on executive function tasks compared with MA/O adults with higher CR. Furthermore, age‐related increases in cfPWV may impair the ability of the cerebrovasculature to augment CBF to the frontal lobe resulting in reductions in executive function with aging.Support or Funding InformationNIH 5R01 AG03417, R03 AG047306‐01, 1R21 AG043722, CTSA U54TR001356This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.