Are There Gender Differences in Executive Functions in Musicians and Non-Musicians?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petra Jansen ◽  
Sabine Hoja ◽  
Leonardo Jost
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Flanker Task ◽  
Memory Task ◽  
Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ◽  
Cognitive Processing Speed ◽  
Back Task

Abstract. Until now, better performance in executive functions (EF) in musicians compared to non-musicians has not been investigated in relation to possible gender differences. For that, it is the main goal of this study to investigate possible gender differences in executive functions. Sixty-three musicians and 64 non-musicians, 63 men and 64 women respectively, completed tests of (a) cognitive processing speed (ZVT), (b) working memory (2-Back Task), (c) inhibition (Flanker Task), and (d) cognitive flexibility (Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, WCST). Results showed a significantly better performance for the target accuracy in the working memory task for musicians compared to non-musicians but not in the other tasks of executive functions. Furthermore, women demonstrated a better performance than men for the target accuracy in the 2-Back Task. However, only cognitive processing speed predicted working memory performance but not the group affiliation or gender. This study revealed that gender differences in executive functions are less likely to appear also in a trained sub-group.

scholarly journals Two Year Progression of Working Memory Impairments In Early Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: Appraisal of Working Memory Profiles And Measurement Sensitivity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meaghan Clough ◽  
Jade Bartholomew ◽  
Owen White ◽  
Joanne Fielding
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Central Executive ◽  
Phonological Loop ◽  
Visual Spatial ◽  
Relapsing Remitting ◽  
Cognitive Processing Speed

Abstract Working memory (WMem) impairments are a devastating symptom of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) that manifest as distinct profiles depending upon the type of impairment. It is unknown what WMem impairment profiles occur in early MS and how best to diagnose and measure their progression.88 participants (63 early relapsing-remitting MS, 25 healthy controls) were reviewed annually for two years (baseline, +1 year, +2 years) and completed five WMem tasks: oculomotor (OM) n-back-visual spatial sketchpad; digit-span forwards-phonological loop; California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT)-episodic buffer; digit-span backwards- central executive; symbol digit modalities test (SDMT)-cognitive processing speed. 65% of RRMS patients exhibited visual-spatial WMem impairments followed by 32% for episodic, 30% phonological loop, 24% central executive, 11% cognitive processing speed. These manifested alone (51%) or in combination (48%), with combined impairments the best marker of general WMem impairment. Significant progression in visual-spatial impairments was found for 24% of RRMS patients, with the OM n­-back maintaining sensitivity to general WMem impairment and progression. No other WMem subcomponent progressed or task maintained sensitivity. The results of this study provides crucial knowledge for the creation of interventions to treat WMem impairment in early RRMS, providing key targets for treatment and endpoints for determining efficacy.

scholarly journals Task Monitoring and Working Memory as Executive Components Predictive of General and Specific Academic Achievements in 6–9-Year-Old Children

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 6681
Author(s):  
Alberto Quílez-Robres ◽  
Nieves Moyano ◽  
Alejandra Cortés-Pascual
Keyword(s):  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Academic Performance ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Language Arts ◽  
Memory Task ◽  
Academic Achievements ◽  
Predictive Role ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
The Relationship

Academic achievement has been linked to executive functions. However, it is necessary to clarify the different predictive role that executive functions have on general and specific academic achievement and to determine the most predictive executive factor of this academic achievement. The relationship and predictive role between executive functions and their components (initiative, working memory, task monitoring, organization of materials, flexibility, emotional control, inhibition, self-monitoring) with academic achievement are analyzed in this study, both globally and specifically in the areas of Language Arts and Mathematics, in 133 students from 6 to 9 years of age. The relationship obtained in Pearson’s correlation analysis does not differ substantially between overall achievement (r = 0.392) and specific achievement (r = 0.361, r = 0.361), but task monitoring (r = 0.531, r = 0.455, r = 0.446) and working memory (r = 0.512, r = 0.475, r = 0.505) had a greater relationship with general and specific achievement. Finally, regression analyses based on correlation results indicate that executive functions predict general academic performance (14.7%) and specific performance (12.3%, 12.2%) for Language Arts and Mathematics, respectively. Furthermore, working memory and task supervision represent 32.5% of general academic performance, 25.5% of performance in Language Arts, and 27.1% of performance in Mathematics. In conclusion, this study yielded exploratory data on the possible executive functions (task supervision and working memory) responsible for good general academic achievements and specific academic achievements in Mathematics and Language Arts.

scholarly journals Decline in cognitive processing speed as a mediator of verbal decline in HIV

1999 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Hardy ◽  
C. H. Hinkin ◽  
P. Satz ◽  
W. G. v. Gorp
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Cognitive Processing Speed

Impaired cognitive processing speed in type 1 diabetic patients who had severe/recurrent hypoglycaemia

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (11) ◽  
pp. 1040-1045 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Bortolotti ◽  
Lisa Zarantonello ◽  
Ambra Uliana ◽  
Nicola Vitturi ◽  
Sami Schiff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
Type 1 Diabetic Patients ◽  
Cognitive Processing Speed ◽  
Recurrent Hypoglycaemia

scholarly journals Mathematics Skills and Executive Functions Following Preterm Birth: A Longitudinal Study of 5-to 7- Year Old Children

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Anna Adrian ◽  
Frank Haist ◽  
Natacha Akshoomoff
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Spatial Working Memory ◽  
Working Memory Capacity ◽  
Full Term ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Mathematics Skills ◽  
Increased Risk

Early mathematics skills are an important predictor of later academic, economic and personal success. Children born preterm, about 10% of the US population, have an increased risk of deficits in mathematics. These deficits may be related to lower levels of executive functions and processing speed. We investigated the development of mathematics skills, working memory, inhibitory control and processing speed of healthy children born very preterm (between 25 and 32 weeks gestational age, n=51) and full-term (n=29). Children were tested annually from ages 5 to 7 years. We found persistent lower overall mathematics skills in the preterm group, driven by differences in more informal skills (e.g. counting) at earlier time points, and by differences in more formal skills (e.g. calculation) at later time points. We did not find significant differences between preterm and full-term born children in spatial working memory capacity or processing speed. However, these cognitive measures were significant predictors of mathematics skills in the preterm but not the full-term group, hinting towards the use of different strategies when solving problems.

Simultaneous and Successive Syntheses: A Factor Analysis of Speed of Information Processing

1978 ◽  
Vol 46 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1167-1172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald F. Jarman ◽  
Larry W. Krywaniuk
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Information Processing ◽  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Motor Speed ◽  
Parallel Processes ◽  
Speed Of Information Processing ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Grade 3 ◽  
Cognitive Processing Speed

A set of tasks was devised to measure different types of speed of information processing. These tasks were administered to a sample of 87 children in Grade 3, and the data were factor analyzed. The results indicated three factors, which were interpreted as simultaneous and successive cognitive processing speed and motor speed. The significance of these results was discussed in terms of current research on human abilities and serial and parallel processes.

scholarly journals Brain Training Game Boosts Executive Functions, Working Memory and Processing Speed in the Young Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

PLoS ONE ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. e55518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui Nouchi ◽  
Yasuyuki Taki ◽  
Hikaru Takeuchi ◽  
Hiroshi Hashizume ◽  
Takayuki Nozawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Brain Training ◽  
Randomized Controlled
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document