A systematic review of the use of subcortical intraoperative electrical stimulation mapping for monitoring of executive deficits and neglect: what is the evidence so far?

Abstract Background Over the past decade, the functional importance of white matter pathways has been increasingly acknowledged in neurosurgical planning. A method to directly study anatomo-functional correlations is direct electrical stimulation (DES). DES has been widely accepted by neurosurgeons as a reliable tool to minimize the occurrence of permanent postoperative motor, vision, and language deficits. In recent years, DES has also been used for stimulation mapping of other cognitive functions, such as executive functions and visuospatial awareness. Methods The aim of this review is to summarize the evidence so far from DES studies on subcortical pathways that are involved in visuospatial awareness and in the following three executive functions: (1) inhibitory control, (2) working memory, and (3) cognitive flexibility. Results Eleven articles reported on intraoperative electrical stimulation of white matter pathways to map the cognitive functions and explicitly clarified which subcortical tract was stimulated. The results indicate that the right SLF-II is involved in visuospatial awareness, the left SLF-III and possibly the right SLF-I are involved in working memory, and the cingulum is involved in cognitive flexibility. Conclusions We were unable to draw any more specific conclusions, nor unequivocally establish the critical involvement of pathways in executive functions or visuospatial awareness due to the heterogeneity of the study types and methods, and the limited number of studies that assessed these relationships. Possible approaches for future research to obtain converging and more definite evidence for the involvement of pathways in specific cognitive functions are discussed.

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P03.05 The use of subcortical intraoperative electrical stimulation mapping for assessment of executive functions: A summary of the evidence so far

Neuro-Oncology ◽

10.1093/neuonc/noab180.057 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 23 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. ii17-ii18

Author(s):

M J F Landers ◽

M M Sitskoorn ◽

G J M Rutten ◽

E Mandonnet ◽

W De Baene

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Electrical Stimulation ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Inhibitory Control ◽

Cognitive Flexibility ◽

Future Research ◽

Superior Longitudinal Fasciculus ◽

Neurosurgical Planning ◽

The Right ◽

Intraoperative Electrical Stimulation

Abstract BACKGROUND Over the past years, the functional subcortical architecture of the brain has been increasingly acknowledged in neurosurgical planning. A method to study anatomo-functional correlations is direct electrical stimulation (DES). DES is widely used by neurosurgeons and considered as a reliable tool to minimize the occurrence of permanent postoperative motor, language and visual deficits. In recent years, DES has also been used for mapping of other cognitive functions, such as executive functions. MATERIAL AND METHODS We systematically summarized the evidence so far from DES studies on subcortical pathways that are involved in the following three executive functions: (1) inhibitory control, (2) working memory and (3) cognitive flexibility. RESULTS We only found twelve articles that reported on intraoperative electrical stimulation of white matter pathways to map executive functions and explicitly clarified which subcortical tract was stimulated. The results indicate that the second branch of the right superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF-II) is involved in inhibitory control, the first branch of the right superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF-I) and the third branch of the left superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF-III) are involved in working memory and the cingulum is involved in cognitive flexibility. CONCLUSION We were unable to draw any specific conclusions, nor unequivocally established the pathways involved in executive functions due to heterogenous study characteristics, methods and tasks, and the limited number of studies that assessed these relationships. Clearly, neurosurgical groups are exploring novel methods to assess cognition during awake neurosurgery, but are far from consensus on indications and protocols, which complicated the comparison and summarization of findings. We will discuss possible approaches for future research to obtain converging and more definite evidence for the involvement of subcortical pathways in specific executive functions.

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Imaging the Networks of Executive Functions

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199764228.013.17 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Christen M. Holder ◽

Nicole Shay

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Working Memory ◽

Executive Function ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Cognitive Flexibility ◽

Processing Speed ◽

Temporal Lobes ◽

Memory Inhibition ◽

Lesion Studies ◽

The Right

This chapter examines the different theoretical conceptualizations of executive functions and how neuroimaging can reveal their neuroanatomical mechanisms. After briefly considering various definitions and descriptions of executive function, it discusses the results of lesion studies that look into specific executive functions; namely, attention, working memory, inhibition, decision-making, planning and organization, processing speed, and cognitive flexibility or shifting. It also evaluates measures that are used to capture the executive functions just cited, along with the advances that have been achieved with the help of neuroimaging studies. On the basis of neuroimaging evidence, the authors show that the right prefrontal cortex, as well as the parietal and temporal lobes, plays an important role in executive function.

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Neuropsychology and malnutrition: a study with 7 to 10 years-old children in a poor community

Revista Brasileira de Saúde Materno Infantil ◽

10.1590/s1519-38292007000100006 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 45-54 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Mônica C. Miranda ◽

Fernando J. Nóbrega ◽

Kazue Sato ◽

Sabine Pompéia ◽

Elaine G. Sinnes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Cognitive Functions ◽

Maternal Mental Health ◽

Average Birth Weight ◽

Term Memory ◽

Malnourished Children ◽

Visual Spatial ◽

Neuropsychological Profile ◽

Prenatal Malnutrition

OBJECTIVES: to compare the neuropsychological profile of eutrophic, stunted and chronically malnourished children, and to analyse the role of socio-economic factors on the cognitive development. METHODS: seven to 10 year-old girls and boys from a poor community in São Paulo were evaluated: 27 eutrophyc, 31 stunted and 15 chronically malnourished. Neuropsychological evaluation involved cognitive functions not fully assessed in this population, such as working, declarative and non-declarative memories, attention and executive functions. Socio-economic indicators, maternal mental health and the children's behaviour at school were also evaluated. RESULTS: malnourished children had a lower score on the vocabulary test than the eutrophic and stunted groups (p s<0.05), performed worse in the visuospatial working memory task (p = 0.01), were more anxious than the stunted (p = 0.006), and despite having lower average birth weight than eutrophic children (p = 0.01), only two children as had prenatal malnutrition. Stunted children exhibited no impairment. No differences in socio-economic variables were found among groups. CONCLUSIONS: chronic malnutrition was associated to impairment of expressive speech, visual-spatial short-term memory and increased anxiety. No effects were observed in intellectual abilities, executive functions, verbal working memory, long-term memory, nor in visuoconstructive function. Preservation of the latter cognitive functions can be attributed to adequate environmental conditions and the lack of overall prenatal malnutrition.

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Effects of Electrical Stimulation in Tinnitus Patients: Conventional Versus High-Definition tDCS

Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair ◽

10.1177/1545968318787916 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 32 (8) ◽

pp. 714-723 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Laure Jacquemin ◽

Giriraj Singh Shekhawat ◽

Paul Van de Heyning ◽

Griet Mertens ◽

Erik Fransen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Electrical Stimulation ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Future Research ◽

Therapeutic Effects ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

High Definition ◽

Tinnitus Questionnaire ◽

Temporal Area ◽

Clinically Significant ◽

The Right

Background. Contradictory results have been reported for transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) as treatment for tinnitus. The recently developed high-definition tDCS (HD tDCS) uses smaller electrodes to limit the excitation to the desired brain areas. Objective. The current study consisted of a retrospective part and a prospective part, aiming to compare 2 tDCS electrode placements and to explore effects of HD tDCS by matched pairs analyses. Methods. Two groups of 39 patients received tDCS of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) or tDCS of the right supraorbital–left temporal area (RSO-LTA). Therapeutic effects were assessed with the tinnitus functional index (TFI), a visual analogue scale (VAS) for tinnitus loudness, and the hyperacusis questionnaire (HQ) filled out at 3 visits: pretherapy, posttherapy, and follow-up. With a new group of patients and in a similar way, the effects of HD tDCS of the right DLPFC were assessed, with the tinnitus questionnaire (TQ) and the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) added. Results. TFI total scores improved significantly after both tDCS and HD tDCS (DLPFC: P < .01; RSO-LTA: P < .01; HD tDCS: P = .05). In 32% of the patients, we observed a clinically significant improvement in TFI. The 2 tDCS groups and the HD tDCS group showed no differences on the evolution of outcomes over time (TFI: P = .16; HQ: P = .85; VAS: P = .20). Conclusions. TDCS and HD tDCS resulted in a clinically significant improvement in TFI in 32% of the patients, with the 3 stimulation positions having similar results. Future research should focus on long-term effects of electrical stimulation.

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Basic and complex cognitive functions in Adult ADHD

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0256228 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (9) ◽

pp. e0256228

Author(s):

Saleh M. H. Mohamed ◽

Marah Butzbach ◽

Anselm B. M Fuermaier ◽

Matthias Weisbrod ◽

Steffen Aschenbrenner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Selective Attention ◽

Cognitive Flexibility ◽

Processing Speed ◽

Cognitive Functions ◽

Neuropsychological Tests ◽

Adult Adhd ◽

Verbal Learning ◽

Test Word ◽

Basic Functions

Background Many clinical studies reported deficits in basic and complex cognitive functions in adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). However, the extent in which deficits in basic functions (i.e., processing speed and distractibility) contribute to complex cognitive impairments (i.e., working memory, planning, cognitive flexibility, memory functions) in adults with ADHD is not well-studied. So far, literature show only one study, revealing that basic functions explain 27–74% of executive dysfunctions. Yet, the authors reported that findings could be affected by the selection of neuropsychological tests. The goal of the present research is to replicate such a finding using a different sample and a different set of neuropsychological tests. Methods Forty-eight adult patients with ADHD were compared with 48 healthy controls in basic cognitive functions, namely processing speed and distractibility and more complex cognitive functions, namely selective attention, cognitive flexibility, planning, working memory, verbal fluency, and verbal memory. Basic and complex cognitive functions were assessed using the Vigilance and Sustained Attention, Selective Attention, N-Back, Tower of London, Trail Making Test, Word Fluency, and Verbal Learning and Memory. Results and conclusion Logistic regression analyses showed that impairments in complex cognitive functions explained 25% of the variance in ADHD diagnosis. The explained variance dropped from 25% to 9% after considering basic functions of processing speed and distractibility. This 64% reduction highlights the importance of basic functions for impairments in complex functions in patients with ADHD.

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Fatigue, quality of life, and cognitive functions in metastatic kidney cancer patients with antiangiogenic treatment.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2011.29.7_suppl.328 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 29 (7_suppl) ◽

pp. 328-328 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

S. Noal ◽

M. Lange ◽

B. J. Escudier ◽

E. Sevin ◽

S. Dauchy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Working Memory ◽

Episodic Memory ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Cognitive Functions ◽

Well Being ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Over Time

328 Background: Fatigue is commonly reported by patients under anti-angiogenic therapies, with sometimes cognitive complains. However, few studies have explored these problems. A longitudinal multicentric prospective study is ongoing in France on fatigue, cognitive functions, quality of life (QoL), anxiety and depression among metastatic kidney cancer patients receiving anti-angiogenic therapies. Objectives: The main objective is to assess fatigue. Secondary objectives are to assess cognitive functions, QoL, anxiety, and depression. Methods: Assessments are made at baseline, at 3 and 6 months. Evaluations were made by: autoquestionnaire MFI-20 to assess fatigue, FACT-G and FKSI to assess QoL, Spielberger's and Beck's questionnaires to assess respectively anxiety and depression. Cognitive functions were assessed by a neuropsychologist with the Working Memory Index (WAIS-III), Grober and Buschke test, Rey Complexe Figure test, verbal fluency and Trail Making test, exploring respectively working memory, episodic memory and executive functions. Preliminary results are presented. Results: 35 patients were enrolled, and 20 of them had the second assessment at 3 months. Most of patients received sunitinib (51%), others received bevacizumab and interferon, or sorafenib. At baseline, 45% of patients expressed general fatigue and 50% at 3 months (p=0.04). Other domains of fatigue (physical, mental, reduced activity and motivation) did not change over time. At baseline, few patients had cognitive disorders (working memory 6%; executive functions 0%; episodic memory 11%), with no decline at 3 months. However, there was an impairment of QoL in FKSI score (p=0.01) and of FACT-G physical well-being (p=0.01). No differences were found in social, emotional or functional well-being. There was no difference on depression nor on anxiety over time. Conclusions: Fatigue significantly increased during the first 3 months of anti-angiogenic treatment, with no impact on cognitive functions but a decline of QoL. These preliminary findings need to be confirmed by further follow-up and more patients. Final results will be provided with 120 patients. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

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Executive functions disorders in high functioning autism and rehabilitation implications

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.01.427 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. S435-S435

Author(s):

A. Di Santantonio ◽

M. Manfredini ◽

N. Varucciu ◽

M. Fabbri ◽

M.C. Cutrone ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Problem Solving ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Cognitive Flexibility ◽

High Functioning Autism ◽

Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Cognitive Screening ◽

Card Sorting ◽

High Functioning

IntroductionThe term executive functions (EFs) includes a set of cognitive processes such as planning, working memory, attention, problem solving, inhibition, mental flexibility, multi-tasking, and initiation and monitoring of actions. EFs are the higher order control processes to guide behaviour.Some studies on the relationship between EFs and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) showed deficit in the cognitive flexibility and speed processing, particularly with Asperger syndrome. Recently, Merchán-Naranjo et al. [1] supported that children's and adolescents with autism without intellectual disability are insufficient in at least 5 domains: attention, working memory, cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control and problem-solving.AimsOur work is aimed at verifying if the presence of a dysexecutive syndrome significantly impacts on the adaptive functioning of people with high functioning autism.MethodsA group of young adults with ASD were administered traditional neuropsychological assessment, specific assessment, focusing on the planning strategies for solving problems (Test Tower of London), abstraction and categorization (Wisconsin Card Sorting Test), and the Dysexecutive Questionnaires.ResultsThe results showed the presence of a specific deficit in the executive functioning in an average cognitive functioning.ConclusionsIntegrate the standard cognitive screening with a specific EFs assessment resulted to be very useful for the clinician to realize neuropsychological and psychotherapeutic individualized treatment.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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Physical activity, aerobic fitness and brain white matter: their role for executive functions in adolescence

10.1101/674846 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Ilona Ruotsalainen ◽

Tetiana Gorbach ◽

Jaana Perkola ◽

Ville Renvall ◽

Heidi J. Syväoja ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Working Memory ◽

White Matter ◽

Corpus Callosum ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Fractional Anisotropy ◽

Aerobic Fitness ◽

The Body ◽

The Relationship ◽

The Brain

AbstractPhysical activity and exercise beneficially link to brain properties and cognitive functions in older adults, but it is unclear how these results generalise to other age groups. During adolescence, the brain undergoes significant changes, which are especially pronounced in white matter. Existing studies provide contradictory evidence regarding the influence of physical activity or aerobic-exercise on executive functions in youth. Little is also known about the link between both aerobic fitness and physical activity with white matter during puberty. For this reason, we investigated the connection between both aerobic fitness (20-m shuttle run) and physical activity (moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity) with white matter in 59 adolescents (12.7–16.2 years). We further determined whether white matter interacts with the connection of fitness or physical activity with three core executive functions (sustained attention, spatial working memory and response inhibition). Our results showed that only the level of aerobic fitness, but not of physical activity was related to white matter properties. Furthermore, the white matter of specific tracts also moderated the links of aerobic fitness and physical activity with working memory. Our results suggest that aerobic fitness and physical activity have an unequal contribution to the properties of white matter in adolescent brains. We propose that the differences in white matter properties could underlie the variations in the relationship between either physical activity or aerobic fitness with working memory.HighlightsAerobic fitness level, but not physical activity, is associated with white matter properties in several white matter tracts in the brain.The relationship between aerobic fitness and working memory was moderated by fractional anisotropy of the body of corpus callosum and in the right superior corona radiata.The relationship between physical activity and working memory was moderated by fractional anisotropy of the body and genu of corpus callosum.

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Correlation between DTI effect and white matter structural integrity, working memory in leukoaraiosis patients

ROMANIAN BIOTECHNOLOGICAL LETTERS ◽

10.25083/rbl/26.3/2714-2721 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (3) ◽

pp. 2714-2721

Author(s):

XIAOFENG YANG ◽

◽

WANMENG XIE ◽

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

White Matter ◽

Structural Integrity ◽

Color Word ◽

Diffusion Tensor ◽

Mean Diffusivity ◽

Lesion Group ◽

Cingulum Bundle ◽

The Right ◽

White Matter Area

Our objective was to study the correlation between Diffusion tensor MR imaging (DTI) effect and white matter structural integrity, working memory in leukoaraiosis patients. 100 leukoaraiosis patients referring to the First Affiliated Hospital of Beijing Medical University from December 2018 to December 2019, were selected as study subjects and divided into four groups according to disease severity: lesion-free group, mild lesion group, moderate lesion group, and severe lesion group. All patients underwent magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging to collect DWI images and analyze Fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), ReHo values of white matter area under different grading. The patients’ working memory was tested via auditory verb learning test and Stroop color word test, so that correlation between white matter structural integrity and working memory can be analyzed. Results: There are statistically significant differences in FA values of the right posterior thalamic radiation, the right sagittal layer and the right superior longitudinal fasciculus, MD values of the right sagittal layer, the right cingulum bundle, the left cingulum bundle, the right inferior fasciculus fronto-occipitalis and the left inferior fasciculus frontooccipitalis, as well as instant recall, delayed recall, delayed recognition, card A (dot), card B (character), card C (color word) and SIE value (P<0.01). Correlation is shown between white matter structural integrity and working memory, gender, age, grading, disease course, recurrence interval, white matter area, and testing methods. There was a correlation between DTI effect and white matter structural integrity, working memory in leukoaraiosis patients, and leukoaraiosis patients have memory impairment.

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Linking inhibitory control to math achievement via comparison of conflicting decimal numbers

10.31234/osf.io/qsuz9 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Linsah Coulanges ◽

Roberto A. Abreu-Mendoza ◽

Sashank Varma ◽

Melina Uncapher ◽

Adam Gazzaley ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Inhibitory Control ◽

Cognitive Flexibility ◽

Math Achievement ◽

Academic Learning ◽

Whole Number ◽

Calculation Skills ◽

The Relationship ◽

Number Knowledge

The relationship between executive functions (EF) and academic achievement is well-established, but leveraging this insight to improve educational outcomes remains elusive. Here, we propose a framework for relating the role of specific EF on specific precursor skills that support later academic learning. Specifically, we hypothesize that executive functions contribute to general math skills both directly – supporting the online execution of problem solving strategies – and indirectly – supporting the acquisition of precursor mathematical content. We test this hypothesis by examining the contribution of inhibitory control on processing rational numbers pairs which conflict with individual’s prior whole number knowledge and on general math knowledge. In 97 college students (79 female, age = 20.63 years), we collected three measures of EF: working memory (backwards spatial span), inhibition (color-word Stroop) and cognitive flexibility (task switching), and timed and untimed standardized measures of math achievement. Our target precursor skill was a decimals comparison task where correct responses were inconsistent with prior whole number knowledge (e.g. 0.27 vs. 0.9). Participants performed worse on these trials relative to the consistent decimals pairs (e.g. 0.2 vs. 0.87). Individual differences on incongruent Stroop trials predicted performance on inconsistent decimal comparisons, which in turn predicted performance on both timed and untimed measures of math achievement. With respect to relating inhibitory control to math achievement, incongruent Stroop performance was an independent predictor of untimed calculation skills after accounting for age, working memory and cognitive flexibility. Finally, we found that inconsistent decimals performance partially mediated the relationship between inhibition and untimed math achievement, consistent with the hypothesis that mathematical precursor skills can explain the relationships between executive functions and academic outcomes, making them promising targets for intervention.

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