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Poverty impedes children's executive function (EF). Therefore, it is necessary to mitigate the negative effect of poverty by developing efficient interventions to improve poor children's cognitive function. In three studies, we examined whether high‐level construals can improve EF among poor children in China. In Study 1, we observed a positive relationship between family socioeconomic status and children's EF, which was moderated by construal level (n = 206; Mage = 9.71; 45.6% girls). In Study 2a, we experimentally induced high‐ versus low‐level construals and found that poor children with high‐level construals exhibited better EF than those with low‐level construals (n = 65; Mage = 11.32; 47.7% girls). However, the same intervention did not affect the performance of affluent children in Study 2b (n = 63; Mage = 10.54; 54% girls). Moreover, we found that the interventional effects of high‐level construals improved the ability of children living in poverty to make healthy decisions and delayed gratification in Study 3 (n = 74; Mage = 11.10; 45.9% girls). These findings may have implications for using high‐level construals as an effective intervention to improve poor children's EF and cognitive capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Executive functions ( EFs) are involved in the attainment, maintenance, and integration of information; these functions may play a key role in cognitive and behavioural outcomes in children treated for medulloblastoma ( MB). At present, it remains unclear which EFs are most sensitive to the treatment effects for MB and whether damage to cerebrocerebellar circuitry is associated with EF. We completed a comprehensive evaluation of EF in 24 children treated for MB and 20 age-matched healthy children ( HC) and distilled these measures into components. Six components (C1-C6) were extracted from our model, reflecting dissociable constructs of EF: C1 = cognitive efficiency; C2 = planning/problem-solving; C3 = positive cognitive emotion regulation; C4 = working memory; C5 = negative cognitive emotion regulation; and C6 = mixed cognitive emotion regulation. Group differences were found for C1, C2, C3, and C4; the MB group showed poorer performance on EF tasks and made less use of positive cognitive emotion regulation strategies relative to HC. Compromise to cerebrocerebellar microstructure - cerebro-ponto-cerebellar and cerebello-thalamo-cerebral pathways - was evident in children treated for MB compared to HC. We found that cerebrocerebellar circuitry has a mediating effect on one component of EF following treatment for MB - working memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whereas a wealth of studies have investigated acute effects of moderate aerobic exercise on executive function, the roles of age, fitness, and the component of executive function in this relationship still remain unclear. Therefore, the present meta-analysis investigates exercise-induced benefits on specific aspects of executive function in different age and aerobic fitness subgroups. Based on data from 40 experimental studies, a small effect of aerobic exercise on time-dependent measures ( g = .35) and accuracy ( g = .22) in executive function tasks was confirmed. The results further suggest that preadolescent children ( g = .54) and older adults ( g = .67) compared to other age groups benefit more from aerobic exercise when reaction time is considered as dependent variable. In contrast to age, aerobic fitness and the executive function component had no influence on the obtained effect sizes. Consequently, high aerobic fitness is no prerequisite for temporary improvements of the executive control system, and low- as well as high-fit individuals seem to benefit from exercise in a similar way. However, a higher sensitivity of executive function to acute aerobic exercise was found in individuals undergoing developmental changes. Therefore, preadolescent children and older adults in particular might strategically use a single aerobic exercise session to prepare for a situation demanding high executive control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite rapidly growing research on parental influences on children's executive function (EF), the uniqueness and specificity of parental predictors and links between adult EF and parenting remain unexamined. This 13-month longitudinal study of 117 parent-child dyads (60 boys; Mage at Time 1 = 3.94 years, SD = 0.53) included detailed observational coding of parent-child interactions and assessed adult and child EF and child verbal ability (VA). Supporting a differentiated view of parental influence, negative parent-child interactions and parental scaffolding showed unique and specific associations with child EF, whereas the home learning environment and parental language measures showed global associations with children's EF and VA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the association between the frequency of tennis play and executive function in children and adolescents. One hundred and six junior tennis players (6–15 years old) participated in this study. Executive function, including inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility were evaluated at rest. Females showed better inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility than males. In males, more frequent tennis play was associated with higher basic processing speed and inhibitory control after controlling for age, gender, body mass index (BMI), and tennis experience. More frequent tennis play was associated with better working memory in both males and females after controlling for age, gender, BMI, and tennis experience. Furthermore, longer tennis experience was related to better cognitive flexibility in males after controlling for age, gender, BMI, and frequency of tennis play. These findings suggest that tennis play is associated with the development of three foundational aspects of executive function (i.e. inhibitory control, working memory, cognitive flexibility). Especially, frequent participation in tennis play is related to better inhibitory control and working memory, while longer experience of tennis play is associated with better cognitive flexibility. Although development of inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility is slower in males than in females, the associations between tennis play and inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility appear to be larger in males than in females. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Studies have suggested that language and executive function (EF) are strongly associated. Indeed, the two are difficult to separate, and it is particularly difficult to determine whether one skill is more dependent on the other. Deafness provides a unique opportunity to disentangle these skills because in this case, language difficulties have a sensory not cognitive basis. In this study, deaf (n = 108) and hearing (n = 125) children (age 8 years) were assessed on language and a wide range of nonverbal EF tasks. Deaf children performed significantly less well on EF tasks, even controlling for nonverbal intelligence and speed of processing. Language mediated EF skill, but the reverse pattern was not evident. Findings suggest that language is key to EF performance rather than vice versa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Ageing in sickle cell disease (SCD) is associated with a myriad of end‐organ complications, including cerebrovascular damage and cognitive impairment (CI). Although CI is very common in SCD, little is known about cognitive functioning and how it changes with age. This study examines cognitive patterns of 63 adults with SCD and 60 non‐SCD, age‐ and education‐matched controls in Ghana. Of those adults with SCD, 34 completed the neuropsychological battery at baseline and again seven years later. In cross‐sectional data, adults with SCD performed worse than controls in all cognitive test domains (p < 0.01 for all). The seven‐year follow‐up data showed that the group exhibited a significant decline in visuospatial abilities (ranging from Cohen's d = 1.40 to 2.38), and to a lesser extent, in processing speed and executive functioning. Exploratory analyses showed a significant time‐by‐education interaction, indicating that education may be protective from decline in cognitive performance. These findings have implications for clinical practice. Early neuropsychological surveillance coupled with early assessment and remedial programmes will provide avenues for enhancing the quality of life of adults living with SCD in Ghana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Childhood ITP is often considered to be a relatively mild haematological disorder, with only a minority of patients requiring treatment for troublesome bleeding. Over recent years, wider effects of the condition have been identified in some adults, particularly relating to fatigue and cognitive impairment. In this study, we sought to investigate such effects in a group of children with ITP and further our understanding of their psychological profile. Children attending routine haematology outpatient clinics and their parents were asked to complete standardised questionnaires designed to assess a range of psychological and cognitive factors. Although the majority of children had some scores within the normal range, a significantly high proportion had difficulties with fatigue (70·6%), emotional and behavioural symptoms (25·7%) or executive functioning (19·4%). Quality of life and subjective evaluation of the illness (appraisal) correlated significantly with each of these domains, but bleeding severity and platelet count did not. Our findings provide valuable insight into the broader impact of childhood ITP, which could aid in providing holistic care, potentially contribute to decisions regarding medical treatment, and guide future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several studies have suggested a relationship between cognitive impairment and recidivism, but most have adopted a retrospective design.Aim: The aim of this study was to test for any relationship between impaired executive function in adolescents with conduct disorder and subsequent recidivism up to 3 years later.Method: In this prospective cohort study, 221 male adolescents with conduct disorder, admitted to a juvenile justice assessment centre for the first time, were interviewed about their offence, age, onset of delinquency and family history. They completed the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (Keio version) (KWCST) and the Iowa gambling task. Scores were compared between those who subsequently re-offended and those who did not.Results: Seventy-six (34%) participants re-offended. There was no direct difference between groups in executive function, but there were age differences both in executive function and in recidivism. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the variables, which were independently associated with recidivism, were younger age, change in the person who brought up the child, and fewer (≤4) categories achieved on the KWCST. Recidivists were about twice as likely as single offenders to have achieved four categories or less on the KWCST (odds ratio 2.2, 95% confidence interval 1.1-4.4).Conclusions: Impaired executive function appears to predispose to recidivism among young first-time male offenders with conduct disorder. Our findings also suggest that further precise assessments of environmental stress on developing neurocognitive function could clarify the background of antisocial behaviour. © 2016 The Authors. Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to assess the effects of 12 months of frequent tennis play on executive functions and the relationships of daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), physical competence, and enjoyment of playing tennis to executive functions in children. Thirty-two children (6-11 years old) who had regularly played tennis (once a week; mean = 3 years, range = 0-6 years) before the study were enrolled in a 12-month intervention. Participants were allocated into two groups: low-dose (maintain current frequency of tennis play, N = 19) or high-dose (increased frequency of tennis play to four times per week, N = 13). Participants’ MVPA, physical competence, enjoyment of playing tennis, and executive functions (i.e. inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility) were evaluated before and after this intervention. The high-dose group demonstrated a greater improvement in working memory than the low-dose group, while there was no group difference in MVPA, physical competence, and enjoyment of playing tennis. Changes in MVPA were associated with improvements in cognitive flexibility. Changes in physical competence were associated with improvements in working memory and cognitive flexibility. Changes in the enjoyment of playing tennis were associated with improvements in inhibitory control. The current findings suggest that replacement of MVPA with sports activity, such as tennis enhances executive functions development, and suggest that sports programmes that seek to build competence and enjoyment might help support the development of executive functions in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Executive functions (EF) have been so far investigated as potential endophenotypes for binge eating disorder (BED). However, major critical limitations in previous research, such as the influence of obesity and comorbid depression, prevented any consensus to be reached. The present study investigated the association between depressive symptoms, a broad range of EF and binge eating severity in individuals with obesity and with/without BED, and whether this association may be explained by a mediation or independency model. Method: One hundred and seven participants completed clinical and psychometric examination. Associations between EF, depressive symptoms and binge eating severity were assessed through bivariate correlation analysis, and the magnitude, as well as the direction of associations between variables, was estimated with structural equation model. Results: Two reliable models were tested; results showed that depressive symptoms exhibited significant direct and indirect effects on the severity of binge eating; conversely, EF did not show either significant direct or indirect effect on binge eating severity. Conclusion: Depression contributes more than EF to psychopathology of BED. Thus, clinicians should routinely assess and, eventually, tailor depressive symptoms in treatment to improve the outcomes of patients with BED. Highlights: Depressive symptoms and executive disabilities interplay affects binge eating severity.Within the model, depression severity accounts for binge eating severity to a larger extent than executive disabilities.An integrated approach targeting either depressive symptoms or executive function disabilities may improve outcomes in individuals with binge eating disorder, above all in those suffering from more severe eating and general psychopathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Executive functioning (EF) varies in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and is associated with clinical symptoms, academic, and adaptive functioning. Here, we examined whether middle‐childhood EF mediates associations between early‐childhood autism symptoms and adolescent outcomes in children with ASD. Methods: The Pathways in ASD Cohort comprising children recruited at the time of ASD diagnosis (at 2–4 years‐of‐age) and followed prospectively across eight subsequent timepoints over ~10 years was used. A subset of Pathways participants (n = 250) with Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF)‐Parent Form data from at least one timepoint when participants were school‐aged was analyzed. A mediation framework was used to examine whether BRIEF‐measured EF across age 7–10 years (middle‐childhood) mediated associations between early‐childhood autism symptoms (measured using the parent‐report Social Responsiveness Scale across age 2–6 years) and clinical, academic, and functional outcomes, indexed at age >10–11.8 years (early‐adolescence) using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL)‐Internalizing and Externalizing Scales, Academic Performance from the Teacher's Report Form, and Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales. Models were rerun substituting clinician‐rated and teacher‐rated measures, where possible. Results: Mediation models indicated a significant indirect effect of middle‐childhood EF on associations between early‐childhood autism symptoms and externalizing behavior, academic performance, or adaptive functioning in early adolescence; kappa squared (κ2) effect sizes ranged from large to small. Model findings were stable across raters. Middle‐childhood EF did not mediate associations between early‐childhood autism symptoms and adolescent internalizing behavior. Conclusions: Among children with an ASD diagnosis, middle‐childhood EF may be one pathway through which early‐childhood autism symptoms influence a variety of outcomes in early‐adolescence. An experimental study targeting middle‐childhood EF to improve adolescent academic, emotional/behavioral, and adaptive functioning is needed to evaluate the clinical meaningfulness of these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aims of this study were to examine the relationships between executive function and psychosocial adjustment, and the mediating and moderating effects of insight on the association between executive function and psychosocial adjustment in patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia in clinical remission. Methods: The level of psychosocial adjustment was assessed in 96 subjects with bipolar disorder and 96 subjects with schizophrenia who were in remitted state. The association between executive function and psychosocial adjustment and the mediating and moderating effects of insight were examined by multiple regression analysis models and the Goodman test. Results: The results indicated that executive function had direct effect on psychosocial adjustment in both subjects with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. However, the mediating effect of insight on the association between executive function and psychosocial adjustment was only found in subjects with schizophrenia, but not in subjects with bipolar disorder. No moderating effect of insight on the association between executive function and psychosocial adjustment was found in subjects with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Conclusions: The results of this study indicated that executive function has an important role in psychosocial adjustment in both patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Meanwhile, insight has a different role in the association between executive function and psychosocial adjustment between patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Data suggest individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) have high rates of attrition from treatment and exhibit impairments on measures of executive functioning (EF). The primary aim of this pilot study was to investigate if EF is associated with attrition from a 1 month intensive outpatient program (IOP) for SUD, and examine the feasibility of implementing the project.Methods: Baseline neurocognitive functioning was assessed by the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) and the self-reported Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning (BRIEF-A) questionnaire.Results: Thirty subjects enrolled in the pilot study: including 20 "completers" (age 39.5 ± 13.1 years) and 10 "drop-outs" who discontinued the IOP prior to completion (age 32 ± 11.1 years). IOP drop-out was associated with earlier age of substance use onset (all p-values <0.05) and male gender, as well as greater SUD, opiate use, and past week substance use. Overall a high level of executive dysfunction was found on the BRIEF-A and CANTAB assessments, and specific differences emerged between completers and drop outs. However, no statistically significant differences were found between these groups on measures of depression, anxiety, or ADHD.Conclusions and Scientific Significance: Overall, findings from this pilot study suggest high levels of self-reported executive dysfunction, but EF's predictive association with drop-out was limited. Measures of addiction severity were more strongly associated with attrition, suggesting potential utility of brief motivational interventions prior to commencing an IOP may improve retention. Further investigations with larger and more diverse samples are warranted. (Am J Addict 2017;26:780-787). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses various theories on the emergence of executive function (EF) in a child's development. Topics include the importance of studying EF in early childhood as it affects a wide variety of cognitive functions such as mathematical and reading proficiency, the development of EF based on behavioral and neural evidence, and the use of measurable models such as the Dimensional Change Card Sort (DCCS) task of the Dynamic Field Theory (DFT).

ABSTRACT In this Monograph, Buss and Spencer develop a novel theory of preschool executive function (EF) based on the principles of dynamic systems theory (DST). In this commentary, I discuss how this model contributes to our understanding of EF and highlight challenges that remain to be addressed. First, I discuss Buss and Spencer's model in the context of existing theories, and in terms of the processes thought to underlie developmental improvements in card-sorting. Next, I explore implications for our understanding of the structure of EF in early childhood. Finally, I suggest possible extensions of this approach to later development, including whether and how this work might shed light on relations between individual differences in early EF and later developmental outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Children with oppositional defiant disorder/conduct disorder (ODD/CD) have shown deficits in 'cool' abstract-cognitive, and 'hot' reward-related executive function (EF) tasks. However, it is currently unclear to what extent ODD/CD is associated with neuropsychological deficits, independently of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods: Fifty-nine adolescents with a history of early-onset oppositional problems, 28 with pure ODD/CD symptoms and 31 with ADHD with or without ODD/CD, and 34 healthy controls were administered a task battery measuring motor response inhibition, sustained attention, cognitive flexibility and reward-related decision-making. Findings were analysed using dimensional and group analyses. Results: In group analyses both groups with and without ADHD were impaired in EF measures. Dimensional analyses, however, showed that ODD/CD but not ADHD was related to hot EF based on increased risky decision-making in the Iowa Gambling Task. ODD/CD was also independently related to aspects of cool EF independently of ADHD, namely slower speeds of inhibitory responding and increased intra-subject variability. Conclusions: These findings show EF deficits associated with ODD/CD independently of ADHD, and implicate reward-related abnormalities in theories of antisocial behaviour development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reviews research on cognition, language, organizational culture, brain, behavior, and evolution to posit the value of operating with a stable reference point based on cognitive accuracy and a rational bias. Drawing on rational-emotive behavioral science, social neuroscience, and cognitive organizational science on the one hand and a general model of brain and frontal lobe executive function on the other, I suggest implications for organizational success. Cognitive thought processes depend on specific brain structures functioning as effectively as possible under conditions of cognitive accuracy. However, typical cognitive processes in hierarchical business structures promote the adoption and application of subjective organizational beliefs and, thus, cognitive inaccuracies. Applying informed frontal lobe executive functioning to cognition, emotion, and organizational behavior helps minimize the negative effects of indiscriminate application of personal and cultural belief systems to business. Doing so enhances cognitive accuracy and improves communication and cooperation. Organizations operating with cognitive accuracy will tend to respond more nimbly to market pressures and achieve an overall higher level of performance and employee satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Depression, which is common following acquired brain injury (ABI), has been shown to predict cognitive impairment, rehabilitation outcome, and quality of life. Whilst many studies have examined links between depression and cognitive–affective processing in the non‐ABI population, their applicability to this important clinical group, where cognitive difficulties can be marked, remains unknown. Here, we investigated biases in prospective cognition, which is known to be disrupted in (non‐ABI) depression yet important for well‐being. Design: Cross‐sectional design with three groups (depressed ABI, non‐depressed ABI, and non‐ABI control participants). Continuous data were additionally analysed in correlation analyses. Methods: Individuals with ABI varying in extent of self‐reported depression and matched non‐ABI control participants completed assessments of mood and prospective cognition (anticipating and imagining future events), alongside background tests of executive function and fluid intelligence. Results: Relative to non‐depressed ABI and control participants, depressed ABI individuals demonstrated a reduced positive bias in prospective cognition: whereas non‐depressed ABI and control participants generated more examples of likely or possible positive versus negative future events, there was no evidence for such a positive bias in depressed ABI participants. Non‐depressed ABI and control participants also reported more vivid mental imagery for positive versus negative future scenarios, whereas such a pattern was not evident in depressed ABI participants. This pattern emerged despite background impairments in fluid intelligence and executive function associated with ABI. Conclusions: These findings (1) elucidate depression‐linked cognitive–affective processes following ABI, where cognitive difficulties are common, and (2) highlight psychological processes associated with depression that are common to ABI and non‐ABI populations. Practitioner points: Clinical implicationsA relative negative bias in future‐directed cognition is associated with depressed mood in individuals with chronic ABI.Such processes may contribute to the onset and maintenance of depression following ABI.These findings suggest it may be important to consider a role for prospective cognition in psychological interventions for depression following ABI. Limitations of the studyThe extent to which depressed mood following ABI is associated with biases in other cognitive domains remains unclear.Whether similar patterns would be observed in acute patients with more profound cognitive difficulties requires further investigation.Despite large effect sizes, our sample size is modest; these effects thus require replication in larger groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Assessment of intelligence and executive function (EF) is common in complex neuropsychiatric practice. Although previous studies have shown that EF and intelligence are related, it is unknown whether these constructs relate to one another in a similar manner across different ability groups (mild intellectual disability, borderline intellectual disability and normal/high intelligence). This study therefore examines the relation between three EFs (inhibition, shifting and updating) and intelligence in a heterogeneous psychiatric sample. It is hypothesised that the strength of the relation between intelligence and the three EFs decreases when the level of intelligence increases, in accordance with Spearman's Law of Diminishing Returns. Methods: In a cross‐sectional, between and within subject design, one of the three intelligence tests (Kaufman Adolescent and Adult Intelligence Test and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale – third and fourth editions) and several EF tests (Stroop Colour–Word Test, Trail Making Test and Spatial Working Memory task) were administered to 250 neuropsychiatric inpatients and outpatients (Mage = 39.8, standard deviation = 14.3, 52.8% male). Based upon their full‐scale IQ score, patients were divided into three ability groups (mild intellectual disability, borderline intellectual disability or normal/high intelligence). The relation between EF and intelligence was assessed through analyses of the correlation pattern; groups were compared using analysis of covariance. Results: Analyses showed significant correlations between the constructs of EF and intelligence. A significant interaction effect was found for shifting, with highest correlations in the normal to high intelligence group, but not for inhibition and updating. Conclusions: Results support a specific role for shifting in this EF–intelligence relation. The correlational pattern of updating and intelligence, as well as the differential relation of shifting and intelligence across ability groups, suggests that EF tasks may not measure distinct EFs in lower intellectual ability but rely on cognitive primitives such as processing speed. EF tasks can be considered less valid indicators of EF ability. Implications in terms of the need for development of specific tasks to measure cognition in low intellectual ability are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the nature of frontal dysfunction associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in people without stroke or depressive disorders. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Community based. PARTICIPANTS: Five hundred twenty-nine community-dwelling participants. MEASUREMENTS: Participants with CKD were classified into one of three diagnostic groups based on their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR): normal (≥60.0 mL/min per 1.73 m2), mild CKD (45.0-59.9 mL/min per 1.73 m2), or moderate to severe CKD (<45.0 mL/min per 1.73 m2). Cognitive function was assessed using the Korean version of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease Neuropsychological Assessment Battery, lexical fluency, digit span test, and the 64-card Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. RESULTS: Perseverative responses and perseverative errors were significantly more prevalent in the group with moderate to severe CKD than in those without CKD and those with mild CKD. The mean number of perseverative responses was 28.6±16.9 in participants with moderate to severe CKD, 19.0±11.4 in those with mild CKD, and 17.1±10.6 in those without CKD ( P<.001, ANCOVA). The mean number of perseverative errors was 23.1±12.3 in participants with moderate to severe CKD, 16.2±8.3 in those with mild CKD, and 14.8±7.8 in those without CKD ( P<.001, analysis of covariance). The odds ratios in the fully adjusted model for the presence of moderate to severe CKD for perseverative responses and perseverative errors were 4.82 (95% confidence interval (CI)=2.14-10.85, P<.001) and 5.01 (95% CI=2.22-11.28, P<.001), respectively. CONCLUSION: Frontal dysfunction, particularly perseverative errors and responses, was associated with moderate to severe CKD in the population studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In two experiments, 330 3- to 4-year-olds competed for stickers in a game in which the optimal response strategy was to point to an empty box that their opponent would receive in order to obtain a baited box for themselves. When the baited box contained stickers, children showed a strong tendency to point at the baited box and therefore lose the stickers to their opponent. In Experiment 1 children performed better when the number of stickers to be won was represented with one of five different types of symbol: numerals, number words, dots, a photograph or sweets. In Experiment 2 children transferred their improved performance in symbolic conditions to non-symbolic conditions. These findings suggest that symbols enable children to formulate an efficient response strategy, and that this effect may be qualitatively different in children from the effect of symbols in non-human primates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two groups of children, one with good attention and one with poor attention, as rated by teachers, carried out a computerized visual search task. There were no differences between groups on an easy search for a single target, but when the task was made more difficult by including foils very similar to the targets or requiring alternating search for two different targets, the poor attention group made significantly more errors than the good attention group. The nature of these increases in errors was examined to discover whether they were due to errors specifically on the foils similar to the targets and errors due to failure to alternate. It was found that as well as making more errors of these types, the children with poor attention also showed a greater increase in other types of error (shape confusions, repetitions etc.) from the simple task to the more difficult ones. It is concluded that these findings do not support an explanation of poor attention solely in terms of weaknesses in specific executive functions, but suggest that supplementary or alternative explanations are needed, for example reduced processing capacity or problems in motivation or arousal when coping with difficult tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand the executive demands of the false‐belief (FB) task relative to an alternative theory‐of‐mind (or mechanical causality) task, picture sequencing, the present study used path analyses. One hundred and sixty‐six children between 3 and 6 years old completed the FB and picture‐sequencing tasks, three executive function tasks (updating, inhibition, and shifting), and the receptive language test. The model with the best fit indicated that FB performance had a direct contribution from shifting of attention and inhibitory control, which was independent of the significant contribution made by picture sequencing. This model indicates that FB inference requires more executive processing than picture sequencing, which is used as an alternative task to measure theory of mind. Statement of contributionWhat is already known on this subject?The majority of researchers use the false‐belief task to assess mentalizing ability in young children.Sources of information used in various different mentalizing tasks require different levels of cognitive demand.Many executive functions (EFs) are involved in children's judgements of false belief.What does this study add?A statistical model was created to compare processing requirements of false‐belief and picture‐sequencing tasks.The model supported the claim that the false‐belief task involves considerably more than just mentalizing.Shifting the focus of attention was an EF that was found to be a key component of performance in the false‐belief task. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Aim: To examine the relationship between cognitive function and unsafe driving acts among community‐dwelling older adults with cognitive impairments. Methods: Participants (n = 160) were older residents of Obu, Japan, aged ≥65 years with cognitive impairments. They regularly drove and were assessed for the number of unsafe driving acts without adequate verification during an on‐road test. We also evaluated cognitive function (attention, executive function and processing speed). Other examined variables included demographics, driving characteristics and visual condition. Results: Participants were classified into two groups according to the number of unsafe driving acts as follows: high group (≥4 unsafe driving acts) and low group (≤3 unsafe driving acts). The high group participants were older in age (P < 0.001) and obtained a lower score on the symbol digit substitution task (P = 0.002) than the low group. The number of unsafe driving acts showed modest significant positive correlations with age (r = 0.396, P < 0.001). The symbol digit substitution task score was significantly associated with the number of unsafe driving acts (β = −0.196, P < 0.05) after adjusting for age group. Conclusions: Processing speed was associated with unsafe driving acts that became worse with increasing age. Future study will be required to longitudinally examine the influence of processing speed on traffic accidents for those with cognitive impairments. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 847–852 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates emotion recognition ability, a central aspect of Theory of Mind (ToM), in a group of individuals with spina bifida myelomeningocele ( SBM) experiencing executive function deficits, and examine associations between emotion recognition, and intellectual and executive functioning. A total of 38 adult subjects with SBM were included in this study, participating in a randomized controlled trial evaluating the effects of a cognitive rehabilitation intervention for executive dysfunction. Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test ( RMET) was used as a measure of emotion recognition, and neuropsychological tests and questionnaires were utilized as executive function measures. One third of the participants performed poorer on the emotion recognition task compared to normative data. Emotion recognition may represent an area being affected in adults with SBM, and it is related to verbal IQ. Findings also suggest that executive functions and emotion recognition ability in adults with SBM are independent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Earlier research and clinical practice show that specific language impairment (SLI) is often associated with nonverbal cognitive deficits and weakened skills in executive functions (EFs). Executive deficits may have a remarkable influence on a child's everyday activities in the home and school environments. However, research information is still limited on EFs in school-aged children with SLI, mostly conducted among English- and Dutch-speaking children. Aims To study whether there are differences in EFs between Finnish-speaking children with SLI and typically developing (TD) peers at school age. EFs are compared between the groups with and without controlling for nonverbal intelligence. Methods & Procedures : Parents and teachers of children with SLI ( n = 22) and age- and gender-matched TD peers ( n = 22) completed The Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functions (BRIEF). The mean age of the children was 8,2 years. BRIEF ratings of parents and teachers were compared between the children with SLI and with TD peers by paired analysis using conditional logistic regression models with and without controlling for nonverbal IQ. Intellectual functioning was assessed with the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children. Outcomes & Results Children with SLI had weaker scores in all parent and teacher BRIEF scales compared with TD peers. Statistically significant differences between the groups were found in BRIEF scales Shift, Emotional Control, Initiate, Working Memory, Plan/Organize and Monitor. Differences between the groups were statistically significant also in intellectual functioning. On BRIEF scales some group differences remained statistically significant after controlling for nonverbal IQ. Conclusions & Implications This study provides additional evidence that also Finnish-speaking school-aged children with SLI are at risk of having deficits in EFs in daily life. EFs have been proposed to have an impact on developmental outcomes later in life. In clinical practice it is important to pay attention to EFs in school-aged children with SLI when making diagnostic evaluations and planning interventions for them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The purpose of the present study was to explore the association between cognitive function and fear of falling in frail/non-frail older adults in a community setting. Methods We recruited 483 community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years and older (mean age 73.3 ± 5.1 years, 68.3% women). Fear of falling was assessed using a yes/no question, 'Are you afraid of falling?' Cognitive function was measured using the Mini- Mental State Examination. The five subscores of the examination were also recorded. We used the frailty criteria developed by the Cardiovascular Health Study, and divided the participants into non-frail and frail groups according to the number of affected domains. The statistical analyses were carried out separately for these two groups. Results A multiple logistic regression analysis showed that, in frail older adults, cognitive impairment was significantly associated with the absence of fear of falling ( OR 0.04, 95% CI 0.00-0.50, P = 0.012). In addition, a stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the score on the attention and calculation subsection of the Mini- Mental State Examination was positively associated with the presence of fear of falling in frail older adults ( OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.08-3.12, P = 0.026). In contrast, cognitive impairment was not associated with fear of falling in non-frail older adults. Conclusions The results suggest that cognitive impairment, especially that in executive function, is associated with the absence of fear of falling in community-dwelling frail older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 232-238. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deficits in executive functions (EFs) have been documented among individuals with unipolar depression, but controversy exists as to whether such deficits are state-dependent or are trait markers that precede disorder onset. The present study examined whether maternal history of unipolar depression was associated with deficits in EFs in early adolescent offspring, a finding that would support a trait marker conceptualization of EF deficits. Participants were a diverse sample (N = 493) of adolescents and their mothers recruited through local schools. Measures included semi-structured diagnostic interviews of mother and adolescent, mother-report forms assessing demographic information, and tests of executive function. Hierarchical linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between maternal depression diagnosis and adolescent offspring performance on tests of EF. Maternal lifetime history of depression was not associated with offspring EF task performance. Findings are not consistent with the conceptualization of impaired executive functions as trait markers of unipolar depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Positive parenting interventions were traditionally developed for use in infant and preschool mental health. However, there is increasing application to a broader range of developmental outcomes. A scoping review was conducted to map the landscape of the diverse applications of positive parenting interventions to academic school readiness. Methods: Positive parenting interventions that took place in the early childhood period (prenatal to 6 years) and included an assessment of academic readiness were eligible (i.e., problem‐solving/reasoning, language, executive functions and preacademics). The search strategy included four electronic databases from inception to July 2020 and backward/forward searching of the majority of eligible studies. Data charting was completed by double, independent reviewers and included theoretical frameworks, academic readiness outcomes, parenting behaviour targets, populations serviced and methodological approaches used. The synthesis included quantitative descriptives and tabular/visual representations. Results: Ninety‐nine studies met eligibility criteria. There has been a steady increase in published studies since 2005, with each academic readiness skill represented in varying proportions. Attachment theory was the most commonly referenced framework for applying interventions to academic readiness, with a more recent shift towards biobehavioural frameworks. The majority of studies included parental responsiveness as a parent behaviour target, whereas behavioural management was more commonly used with older children and/or those with social–emotional/behavioural difficulties. Most studies used a selective prevention approach, with low socioeconomic families being the most frequently studied group. Research gaps were identified in the measurement of follow‐up and parenting behaviour. Conclusion: We discuss changing conceptualizations of academic readiness, applications to public health and practice, and future directions in research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: While there has been a body of work that has investigated past thinking in individuals with alcohol use disorders (AUD), little is known about future thinking in these individuals. Methods: We invited participants with AUD and control participants to construct past and future events. We have also investigated the relationship between constructing past and future events and depression. Results: By analyzing the specificity (i.e., the ability in constructing specific events situated in time and space) of these events, results demonstrated lower specificity of past and future thinking in AUD participants compared to control participants. No significant differences were observed between the specificity of past and future thinking in AUD or in control participants. Further, significant negative correlations were observed between depression and past/future thinking in AUD participants but not in controls. Conclusions: Difficulties in constructing specific future scenarios, as observed in AUD participants compared with controls, are presumably related to ruminative thinking and emotional avoidance aspects of depression, which should be investigated in future studies. More specifically, individuals with AUD may tend to construct general future scenarios to dwell on negative past events and/or to avoid coping with hopelessness and processing of upsetting or distressful future scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Difficulties with figurative language comprehension were documented in adult dyslexia (DYS). In the present research, we investigated the comprehension and generation of metaphors in 37 children, 35 adolescents, and 34 adults with and without DYS. We also tested the contribution of executive function to metaphor processing. A multiple-choice questionnaire with conventional and novel metaphors was used to assess comprehension; a concept-explanation task was used to test conventional and novel metaphor generation (verbal creativity). The findings indicated differences between the dyslexic children and the control group in conventional metaphor comprehension. However, both groups performed similarly in the novel metaphor comprehension test. Furthermore, although children and adolescents with DYS showed similar performance in metaphor generation as their typically developing peers, adults with DYS generated more metaphors than controls. While scores on tests of verbal knowledge and mental flexibility contributed to the prediction of conventional metaphor comprehension, scores on non-verbal tests and mental flexibility contributed to the prediction of novel metaphor generation. Our findings suggest that individuals with DYS are not impaired in novel metaphor comprehension and metaphor generation and that metaphor comprehension and generation utilize different cognitive resources. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on several studies designed to explore the development of children's executive function, as revealed by their performance on the Dimensional Change Card Sort. Cognitive mechanisms underlying executive function and its development; Types of conflict in typical executive function problems pose difficulties for 3- to 4-year-olds; Implications for alternative accounts of the development of executive function.

Theory of mind and its development has been a significantly important-and challenging-topic of research in cognitive science for three decades. This review summarizes our knowledge of when and how children come to understand their own and others' minds, including the developmental timetable, old and new measures, and foundational skills in infancy. We review recent research on theory-of-mind (ToM) and learning, that is, ways in which children's understanding of other minds informs how they learn about the world, as well as evidence for an important role of domain-general cognitive skills (executive function) in the development of ToM, and the neural networks that are most strongly implicated. Finally, we propose future directions for research in this vast and growing field. WIREs Cogn Sci 2013, 4:391-402. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1232 The authors have declared no conflicts of interest for this article. For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a predominantly low-income population-based longitudinal sample of 1,292 children followed from birth, higher level of salivary cortisol assessed at ages 7, 15, and 24 months was uniquely associated with lower executive function ability and to a lesser extent IQ at age 3 years. Measures of positive and negative aspects of parenting and household risk were also uniquely related to both executive functions and IQ. The effect of positive parenting on executive functions was partially mediated through cortisol. Typical or resting level of cortisol was increased in African American relative to White participants. In combination with positive and negative parenting and household risk, cortisol mediated effects of income-to-need, maternal education, and African American ethnicity on child cognitive ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The executive function of fluency describes the ability to generate items according to specific rules. Production of words beginning with a certain letter (phonemic fluency) is impaired in dyslexia, while generation of words belonging to a certain semantic category (semantic fluency) is typically unimpaired. However, in dyslexia, verbal fluency has generally been studied only in terms of overall words produced. Furthermore, performance of adults with dyslexia on non-verbal design fluency tasks has not been explored but would indicate whether deficits could be explained by executive control, rather than phonological processing, difficulties. Phonemic, semantic and design fluency tasks were presented to adults with dyslexia and without dyslexia, using fine-grained performance measures and controlling for IQ. Hierarchical regressions indicated that dyslexia predicted lower phonemic fluency, but not semantic or design fluency. At the fine-grained level, dyslexia predicted a smaller number of switches between subcategories on phonemic fluency, while dyslexia did not predict the size of phonemically related clusters of items. Overall, the results suggested that phonological processing problems were at the root of dyslexia-related fluency deficits; however, executive control difficulties could not be completely ruled out as an alternative explanation. Developments in research methodology, equating executive demands across fluency tasks, may resolve this issue. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: While neurocognitive functioning (NCF) and mood disturbance share a relationship with health-related quality of life (HRQOL), few studies have examined relationships between these constructs in glioma patients prior to treatment.Methods: Newly diagnosed patients with glioma in the left (N = 73; 49% glioblastoma) or right (N = 30; 57% glioblastoma) temporal lobe completed neuropsychological testing and self-report measures of HRQOL (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT)-General and Brain module) and mood (Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory).Results: Verbal learning and memory, executive function, and language abilities were associated with various HRQOL scales. Stepwise linear regression showed that verbal learning predicted scores on the general well-being scale and brain module, processing speed predicted social well-being scores, and executive functioning predicted functional well-being scores on the FACT. Upper extremity strength also predicted scores on the functional well-being subscale and brain module. Mood was more strongly associated with HRQOL domains than NCF, with depressive symptoms accounting for a large proportion of variance across most subscales.Conclusions: In patients with temporal lobe glioma, depressive symptoms are strongly related to most aspects of HRQOL but not with NCF. NCF, specifically verbal learning and memory, executive functioning, and processing speed, also show direct relationships with numerous aspects of HRQOL. These findings underscore the importance of multimodal assessment of NCF and mood in this population. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cognitive complaints are common amongst breast cancer survivors, and no standard treatment exists. The present study evaluates whether web-based cognitive training can alleviate subjectively reported and objectively assessed cognitive complaints in a sample of breast cancer survivors. The primary and secondary outcomes were an objective measure of working memory and a measure of perceived cognitive functioning. Additional outcomes were neuropsychological tests of memory, executive function, working memory and questionnaire-based assessment of anxiety, depression and somatization.Methods: A total of 157 female breast cancer survivors were recruited from an existing cohort and through announcements in open access cancer-related Internet fora and randomly allocated to either web-based cognitive training (eCogT) with telephone support (n = 94) or a waitlist control (WLC) condition (n = 63). eCogT encompassed 30 training sessions over 6 weeks. Neuropsychological assessments were undertaken over the telephone, and questionnaire data was collected online. Data was collected at baseline, post-intervention and at 5-month follow-up.Results: Mixed linear models revealed no statistically significant change in primary or secondary outcome at follow-up in either group. Statistically significant improvements (p 0.040-0.043) were found in the eCogT group for verbal learning and on a working memory test.Conclusions: Web-based cognitive training did not result in improvements of the primary or secondary outcome. Improved performance was observed on verbal learning and working memory. These effects were observed at 5-month follow-up, indicating long-term effects of training. The intervention may be applied in a clinical setting at low cost and without risk of adverse effects.© 2016 The Authors Psycho-Oncology Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the impact of neurocognitive functioning on the self‐focused processing styles of rumination and reflection, and the relationship to mood symptoms after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Design: A cross‐sectional design with a between‐group component comparing self‐focused processing styles and mood symptoms of adults with TBI and age‐ and gender‐matched controls. Method: Fifty‐two participants with severe TBI (75% male, M age = 36.56, SD = 12.39) completed cognitive tests of attention, memory, executive functioning and the Awareness Questionnaire, Reflection and Rumination Questionnaire (RRQ), and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS – 21). Fifty age‐ and gender‐matched controls completed the RRQ and DASS‐21. Results: TBI participants reported significantly greater mood symptoms than controls (p < .05); however, levels of rumination and reflection did not significantly differ. TBI participants high on both reflection and rumination had significantly greater mood symptoms than those with high reflection and low rumination (p < .001). Higher levels of rumination and reflection were associated with better working memory and immediate and delayed verbal memory (r = .36–.43, p < .01). Higher levels of rumination were also associated with greater verbal fluency, self‐awareness, and mood symptoms (r = .36–.70, p < .01). Conclusions: Individuals with better memory functioning may be more likely to engage in self‐focused processing after severe TBI. Reflection without ruminative tendencies is more adaptive for mental health than reflection with rumination. Practitioner points: Individuals with severe TBI report more mood symptoms than non‐injured controls but do not differ on self‐focused processing.Poorer memory function is related to lower levels of rumination and reflection.Reflection without ruminative tendencies is adaptive for mental health after severe TBI.Individuals with greater self‐awareness and ruminative tendencies are at increased risk of mental health problems following severe TBI. Limitations: Rumination and reflection were assessed using a self‐report measure which assumes that people with severe TBI are able to reliably report on self‐focused processing styles.The direction of associations between self‐focused processing, self‐awareness, and mood symptoms could not be determined due to the cross‐sectional design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study examined the factor structure of the Chinese version of the Dysexecutive Questionnaire (DEX) in a large nonclinical sample of college students (n = 1,586). All participants completed the self‐report version of the DEX. An exploratory factor analysis was first performed on a sub‐sample (randomly split, n = 766) and produced a four‐factor model (Volition, Intentionality, Inhibition, and Abstract Problem‐Solving), which was similar to previous models reported in Western samples. In addition, a series of confirmatory factor analyses was conducted on the remaining sample (n = 820). The findings suggested that a four‐factor solution of the self‐report DEX might better explain the latent structure in the present healthy Chinese sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND A unique biological shift in sleep cycles occurs during adolescence causing later sleep and wake times. This shift is not matched by a concurrent modification in school start times, resulting in sleep curtailment for a large majority of adolescents. Chronic inadequate sleep is associated with poor academic performance including executive function impairments, mood, and behavioral issues, as well as adverse health outcomes such as an increased risk of obesity, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. In order to address sleep deficits and the potential negative outcomes associated with chronic sleep deprivation, the American Academy of Pediatrics ( AAP) and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC) support delaying school start times for middle and high school students. METHODS We summarize current evidence, explicate the need for policy change, and urge school districts to put adolescent students' health as top priority and implement school start times consistent with their developmental needs. RESULTS Whereas substantial evidence illustrating adverse consequences of inadequate sleep on psychological and physical health, and recommendations exist to adapt daytime school schedules to match sleep needs have been released, actual implementation of these recommendations have been limited. CONCLUSIONS This is a call to action for the implementation of AAP/ CDC recommendations across the state and nation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The level of hippocampal atrophy in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is typically less than that observed in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, it is not known how the cognitive phenotype of DLB is influenced by hippocampal atrophy or the atrophy of adjacent medial temporal lobe structures.Methods: Dementia with Lewy bodies (n = 65), AD (n = 76) and control (n = 63) participants underwent 3T magnetic resonance imaging and cognitive Cambridge Cognitive Examination and Mini-Mental State Examination (CAMCOG and MMSE) assessments. Hippocampal volume, and parahippocampal, entorhinal and temporal pole cortical thickness, was compared between groups. Regression models were used to investigate whether hippocampal volume and cortical thickness associated with global cognition and cognitive subdomains.Results: Dementia with Lewy bodies, AD and control participants showed significantly different hippocampal, parahippocampal and entorhinal cortical thinning, where atrophy was greatest in AD and intermediate in DLB. Temporal pole thickness was reduced in DLB and AD compared with control participants. In DLB, but not AD, hippocampal volume associated with total CAMCOG, CAMCOG memory and MMSE scores. In DLB, parahippocampal, entorhinal and temporal pole thickness associated with total CAMCOG and CAMCOG memory scores, parahippocampal thickness associated with MMSE scores, and entorhinal thickness associated with CAMCOG executive function scores.Conclusions: In this large sample, these results are in agreement with other studies indicating that hippocampal atrophy is less severe in DLB than AD. Hippocampal atrophy and medial temporal lobe cortical thickness were associated with the severity of cognitive symptoms, suggesting that atrophy in these structures, as a potential proxy of AD pathology, may partly mediate specific DLB cognitive symptoms. © 2017 The Authors. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Longitudinal data were obtained from 157 children aged 3 years 3 months to 5 years 6 months at Time 1. At Time 2 these children had aged an average of 12 months. Theory of mind ( ToM) and executive functioning ( EF) were measured at both time points. Results suggest that Time 1 ToM scores predict Time 2 EF scores. Detailed examination of sibling influences suggests that benefits-in terms of advanced ToM development-accrue to children with siblings versus without, and to those with a larger number of child-aged siblings. Any advance in either area ( ToM or EF) is likely to benefit the other, and early sibling interaction appears to act as a catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Sleep problems have an impact on executive functioning in the general population. While children with Down syndrome (DS) are at high risk for sleep problems, the impact of these sleep problems on executive functioning in school‐age children with DS is less well documented. Our study examined the relationship between parent‐reported and actigraphy‐measured sleep duration and sleep quality with parent and teacher reports and neuropsychology assessments of executive functioning among school‐age children with DS. Method: Thirty school‐age children with DS wore an actigraph watch for a week at home at night. Their parent completed ratings of the child's sleep during that same week. Children completed a neuropsychology assessment of their inhibitory control, ability to shift and working memory. Their parents and teachers completed rating scales to assess these same constructs of executive functioning. Results: Parent reports of restless sleep behaviours on the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), but not actigraph‐measured sleep period or efficiency, were predictive of parent reports of concerns with inhibitory control, shifting and working memory, and of teacher reports of inhibitory control. No measure of sleep was predictive of executive functioning as measured by the neuropsychology assessment. Conclusion: The study findings corroborate the preliminary literature that parent‐reported sleep problems are related to executive functioning in school‐age children with DS, particularly in the area of inhibitory control across home and school. These findings have implications for understanding contributing factors to academic performance and school behaviour in school‐age children with DS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Deficits in executive functions (EF) in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have been identified. However, there is limited evidence about patterns of deficits in EF‐related skills, especially at the neurobiological level, in young children with ASD and little is known about how these skills are related to other domains of functioning and symptom severity. In this study, we provide a focused review of EF‐related Event‐Related Potentials (ERP) studies in children with ASD, accompanied by preliminary data for neurophysiological correlates of EF on a child‐friendly Go/No‐go task. We focus our preliminary investigation on ERPs associated with stimulus processing (N2, P3) and error monitoring [error/correct‐related negativity (ERN, CRN), error positivity (Pe)] in 5‐year‐old kindergarteners with ASD and typical controls matched on age, gender and task accuracy. Children with ASD showed significantly greater amplitudes of ERN/CRN compared to matched controls, suggesting heightened response monitoring. The ASD group also showed less distinct inhibitory P3 compared to the TD group, potentially suggesting atypical stimulus processing. In children with ASD, higher autism symptom severity was correlated with larger P3. Better behavioral performance on an EF‐related task was correlated with smaller CRN. Our study is the first investigation to demonstrate the presence of N2, P3, ERN/CRN and Pe in kindergartners with ASD. The potential links between ERP patterns and behavioral and clinical features in more‐able children with ASD highlight the need for further exploration into the functional mechanisms of these atypical neural activities and for more focused behavioral interventions targeting cognitive control and response monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: Deficits in cognitive control are thought to contribute to the maintenance of obesity (OB). Cognitive control is referred to as impulsivity and binge‐eating disorder (BED) is characterized by high levels of impulsivity. The present study sought to elucidate which cognitive control functions differentiate between severe OB with and without BED also taking into account hunger as a moderating factor. Method: The study included 48 individuals with OB and BED (OB + BED), 48 individuals with OB and no BED (OB – BED) and 48 normal‐weight controls (NWC). Hunger was systematically manipulated: participants were instructed to refrain from eating before testing and received either a liquid meal or flavored water. Then, a comprehensive test battery was administered including a food‐related go/no‐go task and several subtests from the CANTAB. Results: There were no differences between the groups with regard to food‐related response inhibition. However, while manipulating hunger had no impact on performance in the go/no‐go task, self‐reported hunger significantly influenced task performance by increasing inhibition deficits to high‐caloric stimuli in OB + BED. With regard to general cognitive control functions, we found that deficits in attention and impulse control in decision‐making distinguished OB from NWC, while reversal learning and risk taking in decision‐making appeared to be relevant factors when distinguishing OB + BED from OB − BED. Discussion: Our results indicate that self‐reported hunger differentially affected food‐related response inhibition. Group differences in general cognitive control functions were limited to attention, reversal learning, and decision‐making. Future research needs to account for other possible moderating factors, such as mood, food craving, or stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Executive dysfunction in geriatric depression has been shown to predict poor response to antidepressant medication. The purpose of this review is to clarify which aspects of executive functioning predict poor antidepressant treatment response. Methods: Literature review. Results: From our review, the aspects of executive functioning that appear to be associated with antidepressant response rates are verbal fluency and response inhibition. There is some indication that the semantic strategy component may account for the effects of verbal fluency, although evidence comes from one study and needs replication. Processing speed has been proposed as a substrate that may underlie the effects of executive dysfunction on treatment response. Although processing speed does not appear to account for the relationship between response inhibition and treatment outcome, this issue has yet to be assessed with respect to verbal fluency. Conclusions: Verbal fluency and response inhibition are specific aspects of executive dysfunction that appear to impact antidepressant response rates. Disruption of the frontostriatal limbic circuit (particularly the anterior cingulate and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) may explain the relation between these two mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]