The Depth of Executive Control: Investigating Working Memory, Inhibitory Control and Selective Attention in Multiple Depth Planes

Background: The model of executive attention proposes that temporal organization, i.e., the time necessary to bring novel tasks to fruition is an important construct that modulates executive control. Subordinate to temporal organization are the constructs of working memory, preparatory set, and inhibitory control. Objective: The current research operationally-defined the constructs underlying the theory of executive attention using intra-component latencies (i.e., reaction times) from a 5-span backward digit test from patients with suspected mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods: An iPad-version of the Backward Digit Span Test (BDT) was administered to memory clinic patients. Patients with (n = 22) and without (n = 36) MCI were classified. Outcome variables included intra-component latencies for all correct 5-span serial order responses. Results: Average total time did not differ. A significant 2-group by 5-serial order latency interaction revealed the existence of distinct time epochs. Non-MCI patients produced slower latencies on initial (position 2-working memory/preparatory set) and latter (position 4-inhibitory control) correct serial order responses. By contrast, patients with MCI produced a slower latency for middle serial order responses (i.e., position 3-preparatory set). No group differences were obtained for incorrect 5-span test trials. Conclusion: The analysis of 5-span BDT serial order latencies found distinct epochs regarding how time was allocated in the context of successful test performance. Intra-component latencies obtained from tests assessing mental re-ordering may constitute useful neurocognitive biomarkers for emergent neurodegenerative illness.

Download Full-text

Capacity, Control, or Both – Which Aspects of Working Memory Contribute to Children’s General Fluid Intelligence?

Polish Psychological Bulletin ◽

10.1515/ppb-2016-0003 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 47 (1) ◽

pp. 21-28 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Edward Nęcka ◽

Agata Lulewicz

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Inhibitory Control ◽

Executive Control ◽

Creative Thinking ◽

Fluid Intelligence ◽

Storage Capacity ◽

Working Memory Capacity ◽

Capacity Control ◽

Prepotent Response ◽

Raven's Progressive Matrices

Abstract Starting from the assumption that working memory capacity is an important predictor of general fluid intelligence, we asked which aspects of working memory account for this relationship. Two theoretical stances are discussed. The first one posits that the important explanatory factor is storage capacity, roughly defined as the number of chunks possible to hold in the focus of attention. The second one claims that intelligence is explained by the efficiency of executive control, for instance, by prepotent response inhibition. We investigated 96 children at the age between 10 and 13. They completed a version of the n-back task that allows assessment of both storage capacity and inhibitory control. They also completed Raven’s Progressive Matrices as the fluid intelligence test and the Test for Creative Thinking - Drawing Production, for control purposes. We found that Raven’s scores correlated negatively with the number of unnecessary responses to irrelevant stimuli but they did not correlate with the number of signal detections. We conclude that children’s fluid intelligence depends on inhibitory control, with no relationship with storage capacity.

Download Full-text

Executive functions in children with dyslexia

Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria ◽

10.1590/0004-282x20190033 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 77 (4) ◽

pp. 254-259

Author(s):

Thais Barbosa ◽

Camila Cruz Rodrigues ◽

Claudia Berlim de Mello ◽

Mariana Cristina de Souza e Silva ◽

Orlando Francisco Amodeo Bueno

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Executive Function ◽

Selective Attention ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Inhibitory Control ◽

Neuropsychological Tests ◽

Memory Deficits ◽

Typical Development ◽

Phonological Skill ◽

Memory Inhibition

ABSTRACT This study aimed to verify whether children with dyslexia have difficulties in executive functions (shifting, working memory, inhibition). Methods: A sample of 47 children (ages 8-13 years) participated in the study: 24 who were dyslexic and 23 controls with typical development. A battery of neuropsychological tests was used. Results: Results revealed executive function difficulties among the dyslexic children when compared with controls, encompassing selective attention modulation processes, shifting, and inhibitory control. These difficulties appeared to be affected by phonological working memory deficits, typically associated with dyslexia. Conclusion: Our findings support the consensus among scholars regarding the central involvement of phonological skill dysfunctions in dyslexia.

Download Full-text

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Improves Executive Dysfunctions in ADHD: Implications for Inhibitory Control, Interference Control, Working Memory, and Cognitive Flexibility

Journal of Attention Disorders ◽

10.1177/1087054717730611 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 24 (13) ◽

pp. 1928-1943 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Vahid Nejati ◽

Mohammad Ali Salehinejad ◽

Michael A. Nitsche ◽

Asal Najian ◽

Amir-Homayoun Javadi

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Inhibitory Control ◽

Cognitive Flexibility ◽

Task Switching ◽

Direct Current ◽

Executive Control ◽

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation ◽

Sham Stimulation ◽

Direct Current Stimulation ◽

Left Dlpfc

Objective: This study examined effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) on major executive functions (EFs), including response inhibition, executive control, working memory (WM), and cognitive flexibility/task switching in ADHD. Method: ADHD children received (a) left anodal/right cathodal DLPFC tDCS and (b) sham stimulation in Experiment 1 and (a) left anodal DLPFC/right cathodal OFC tDCS, (b) left cathodal DLPFC/right anodal OFC tDCS, and (c) sham stimulation in Experiment 2. The current intensity was 1 mA for 15 min with a 72-hr interval between sessions. Participants underwent Go/No-Go task, N-back test, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), and Stroop task after each tDCS condition. Results: Anodal left DLPFC tDCS most clearly affected executive control functions (e.g., WM, interference inhibition), while cathodal left DLPFC tDCS improved inhibitory control. Cognitive flexibility/task switching benefited from combined DLPFC-OFC, but not DLPFC stimulation alone. Conclusion: Task-specific stimulation protocols can improve EFs in ADHD.

Download Full-text

EFFECTS OF BILINGUALISM ON INHIBITORY CONTROL AND WORKING MEMORY: A STUDY WITH EARLY AND LATE BILINGUALS

Gragoatá ◽

10.22409/gragoata.v20i38.33312 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 20 (38) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Rossana Kramer ◽

Mailce Borges Mota

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Inhibitory Control ◽

Executive Control ◽

Memory Span ◽

Dense Body ◽

Brazilian Portuguese ◽

Younger Adults ◽

Age Related ◽

Bilingual Group ◽

Late Bilinguals

A dense body of research shows that cognitive functions change with age. More recently, studies have provided evidence that bilingualism aids in offsetting age-related losses in executive function (Bialystok, Craik, Klein & Viswanathan, 2004; Salvatierra, 2010). The present study investigates the performances of early bilinguals (Brazilian Portuguese/Hunsrückisch), late bilinguals (Brazilian Portuguese/English), and monolinguals (Brazilian Portuguese) on executive control and working memory tasks. Participants (N = 104) performed an executive control task (Simon) and a working memory (Alpha Span) task. Statistical analyses showed significant age-related effects on executive functions: younger adults outperformed older adults in the tasks. Furthermore, early bilinguals presented more efficient inhibitory processes showing smaller Simon effect costs and higher working memory span than monolinguals. As for the late bilingual group, their performance on inhibitory control tasks was significantly faster than that of their peer monolingual group. Results suggest that bilingualism, regardless of the context and age of acquisition, has an effect on inhibitory control and working memory.

Download Full-text

Working memory assessment in schizophrenia and its correlation with executive functions ability

Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1590/s1516-44462009000300007 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 31 (3) ◽

pp. 219-226 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Arthur A. Berberian ◽

Bruna T. Trevisan ◽

Tais S. Moriyama ◽

José M. Montiel ◽

José Ari C. Oliveira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Selective Attention ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Visual Working Memory ◽

Inhibitory Control ◽

Memory Deficits ◽

Multiple Features ◽

Brazilian Sample ◽

Memory Assessment ◽

New Strategies

OBJECTIVE: Working memory impairment is common in schizophrenia and is possibly a cause of multiple features of the disorder. However few studies have replicated such findings of impairment patterns in Brazilian samples. The main target of this study was to assess auditory and visual working memory in patients with schizophrenia, to assess if they work as separate systems, and to correlate working memory deficits with executive functions. METHOD: Twenty subjects with schizophrenia and twenty healthy subjects matched by gender, age, and schooling have participated. The abilities assessed were auditory and visual working memory, selective attention, inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, and planning. RESULTS: Patients showed declines in all measures evaluated, except for a measure reaction time of inhibitory control. Auditory working memory was correlated to selective attention, inhibition, flexibility and planning while Visual working memory to planning and flexibility. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that working memory and executive functions deficits are present in patients with schizophrenia in the Brazilian sample evaluated. Alterations in executive functions may lead to incapacity of operation of processes of working memory. These findings may contribute to delineate and develop new strategies of schizophrenia treatment in the Brazilian population.

Download Full-text

Does mindfulness meditation training enhance executive control? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials in adults

10.31234/osf.io/u8dk3 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Luis Cásedas ◽

Miguel A. Vadillo ◽

Juan Lupiáñez

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Working Memory ◽

Inhibitory Control ◽

Cognitive Flexibility ◽

Executive Control ◽

Mindfulness Meditation ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Experimental Studies ◽

Medium Effect ◽

Randomized Controlled

[This is a pre-print of an article published in Mindfulness. The final authenticated version is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-019-01279-4] Objectives: Over the last years, mindfulness meditation has been claimed to be effective in enhancing several cognitive domains, including executive control. However, these claims have been mostly based on findings pertaining to case-control and cross-sectional studies, which are by nature unable to reveal causal relationships. Aiming to address this issue, we set out to conduct the first quantitative assessment of the literature concerning mindfulness meditation as an enhancer for executive control considering only randomized controlled studies. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis covering experimental studies testing the effect of mindfulness meditation training on at least one executive control function (working memory, inhibitory control, or cognitive flexibility) in adult samples. Four databases were examined, resulting in the identification of 822 candidate references. After a systematic filtering process, a set of 16 studies was retained for evaluation, of which 13 could be included in a subsequent meta-analysis. Results: We found an average effect size of g = 0.34 [0.16, 0.51], indicating a small-to-medium effect of mindfulness meditation training in enhancing executive control. Effect sizes for individual functions were g = 0.42 [0.10, 0.74] for working memory, g = 0.42 [0.20, 0.63] for inhibitory control, and g = 0.09 [-0.13, 0.31] for cognitive flexibility. Funnel plot asymmetry analysis revealed no evidence of publication bias. Conclusions: Taken together, our findings provide preliminary and moderate yet positive evidence supporting the enhancing effects of mindfulness meditation on executive control. Shortcomings of included studies and considerations for future empirical and meta-analytical research are discussed.

Download Full-text

Do Children With Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) Have Difficulties With Interference Control, Visuospatial Working Memory, and Selective Attention? Developmental Patterns and the Role of Severity and Persistence of DLD

Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research ◽

10.1044/2020_jslhr-20-00012 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 63 (9) ◽

pp. 3036-3050

Author(s):

Elma Blom ◽

Tessel Boerma

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Selective Attention ◽

Language Disorder ◽

Typically Developing ◽

Developmental Language Disorder ◽

Visuospatial Working Memory ◽

Interference Control ◽

Developmental Patterns ◽

Search Tasks ◽

The Impact

Purpose Many children with developmental language disorder (DLD) have weaknesses in executive functioning (EF), specifically in tasks testing interference control and working memory. It is unknown how EF develops in children with DLD, if EF abilities are related to DLD severity and persistence, and if EF weaknesses expand to selective attention. This study aimed to address these gaps. Method Data from 78 children with DLD and 39 typically developing (TD) children were collected at three times with 1-year intervals. At Time 1, the children were 5 or 6 years old. Flanker, Dot Matrix, and Sky Search tasks tested interference control, visuospatial working memory, and selective attention, respectively. DLD severity was based on children's language ability. DLD persistence was based on stability of the DLD diagnosis. Results Performance on all tasks improved in both groups. TD children outperformed children with DLD on interference control. No differences were found for visuospatial working memory and selective attention. An interference control gap between the DLD and TD groups emerged between Time 1 and Time 2. Severity and persistence of DLD were related to interference control and working memory; the impact on working memory was stronger. Selective attention was unrelated to DLD severity and persistence. Conclusions Age and DLD severity and persistence determine whether or not children with DLD show EF weaknesses. Interference control is most clearly impaired in children with DLD who are 6 years and older. Visuospatial working memory is impaired in children with severe and persistent DLD. Selective attention is spared.

Download Full-text