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executive function
Complex cognitive abilities.
The ability to initiate, plan & execute purposeful behavior.
Components include:
1) abstract thinking
2) planning
3) organization
Pathology:
1) lesions of the prefrontal-subcortical circuits
a) generally bilateral
b) dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
c) thalamus (dorsomedial nucleus)
d) head of caudate nucleus
e) globus pallidus
2) age-related changes in executive function
a) cognitive processing speed decreases
b) abstractions become more concrete
Special laboratory:
Assessment:
1) generate lists of words (i.e. animal names)
2) sort cards
3) change criteria for 1 or 2 as test proceeds
Related
executive function assessment
executive function impairment in Alzheimer's disease
General
cognition (intelligence)
References
- Cummings, Hospital Practice, May 1993, pg 56-68
- McPherson, S. Director, Neuropsychology Laboratory UCLA ADRC