scholarly journals Executive Functions: Influence of Sex, Age and Its Relationship With Intelligence

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (62) ◽  
pp. 383-392
Author(s):  
Larissa de Oliveira e Ferreira ◽  
Daniela Sacramento Zanini ◽  
Alessandra Gotuzo Seabra
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Perceptual Organization ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Disorders ◽  
Discriminative Power ◽  
Speed Of Processing ◽  
Intelligence Scale ◽  
Tower Of Hanoi

AbstractThe Tower of Hanoi is a tool used to evaluate executive functions. However, few studies describe what functions are evaluated in this test. This study investigates the executive functions, evaluated by the Tower of Hanoi (ToH), and the influence of gender, age and its relationship with intelligence. We evaluated 55 children and adolescents, between the ages of ten and 16, without diagnosed neuropsychiatric disorders. The results showed that the performance and time in to complete the Tower of Hanoi have no discriminative power when comparing age groups and sex; there was also no significant correlation found between the ToH and the execution quotient of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - Third Edition (WISC III), perceptual organization and the speed of processing. Only the subtest coding were positively related to the ToH, demonstrating that these instruments may be measuring related aspects of intelligence and executive functions, namely intelligence and working memory.

scholarly journals Child maltreatment, cognitive functions and the mediating role of mental health problems among maltreated children and adolescents in Uganda

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Herbert E. Ainamani ◽  
Godfrey Z. Rukundo ◽  
Timothy Nduhukire ◽  
Eunice Ndyareba ◽  
Tobias Hecker
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Child Maltreatment ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Problems

Abstract Background Child maltreatment poses high risks to the mental health and cognitive functioning of children not only in childhood but also in later life. However, it remains unclear whether child maltreatment is directly associated with impaired cognitive functioning or whether this link is mediated by mental health problems. Our study aimed at examining this research question among children and adolescents in Uganda. Methods A sample of 232 school-going children and adolescents with a mean age of 14.03 (SD = 3.25) was assessed on multiple forms of maltreatment using the Maltreatment and Abuse Chronology Exposure—Pediatric Version (pediMACE). Executive functions were assessed by the Tower of London task and working memory by the Corsi Block Tapping task, while mental health problems were assessed using the Child PTSD Symptom Scale for PTSD and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC). Results In total, 232 (100%) of the participant reported to have experienced at least one type of maltreatment in their lifetime including emotional, physical, and sexual violence as well as neglect. We found a negative association between child maltreatment and executive functions (β = − 0.487, p < 0.001) and working memory (β = − 0.242, p = 0.001). Mental health problems did not mediate this relationship. Conclusions Child maltreatment seems to be related to lower working memory and executive functioning of affected children and adolescents even after controlling for potential cofounders. Our study indicates that child maltreatment the affects children’s cognitive functionality beyond health and well-being.

scholarly journals Child maltreatment, cognitive functions and the mediating role of mental health problems among maltreated children and adolescents in Uganda

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Herbert E Ainamani ◽  
Godfrey Z Rukundo ◽  
Timothy Nduhukire ◽  
Eunice Ndyareba ◽  
Tobias Hecker
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Child Maltreatment ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Problems

Abstract Background: Child maltreatment poses high risks to the mental health and cognitive functioning of children not only in childhood but also in later life. However, it remains unclear whether child maltreatment is directly associated with impaired cognitive functioning or whether this link is mediated by mental health problems. Our study aimed at examining this research question among children and adolescents in Uganda. Methods: A sample of 232 school-going children and adolescents with a mean age of 14.03 (SD = 3.25) was assessed on multiple forms of maltreatment using the Maltreatment and Abuse Chronology Exposure – Pediatric Version (pediMACE). Executive functions were assessed by the Tower of London task and working memory by the Corsi Block Tapping task, while mental health problems were assessed using the Child PTSD Symptom Scale for PTSD and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC).Results: In total, 232(100%) of the participant reported to have experienced at least one type of maltreatment in their lifetime ranging from having been intentionally pushed by an authority figure (89.7%, n = 208) to entering an object in the participant’s body (2.6%, n =6). We found a negative association between child maltreatment and executive functions (β = -0.487, p < .001) and working memory (β = -0.242, p = .001). Mental health problems did not mediate this relationship.Conclusions: Child maltreatment seems to be related to lower working memory and executive functioning of affected children and adolescents even after controlling for potential cofounders. Our study indicates that child maltreatment affects children’s cognitive functionality beyond health and well-being.

scholarly journals Association between plasma homocysteine levels and cognitive deficits in Han Chinese patients with schizophrenia across age groups

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumiao Zhou ◽  
Yuanyuan Huang ◽  
Yangdong Feng ◽  
Hehua Li ◽  
Kai Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Learning And Memory ◽  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Visual Learning ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Speed Of Processing ◽  
Function Score ◽  
Cognitive Function Score

AbstractIt was still unclear how homocysteine (Hcy) levels and cognitive deficits change in patients with schizophrenia of various ages. The present article attempts to assess the relationship between Hcy levels and cognitive deficits in patients with schizophrenia across age groups, especially in young people. Totals of 103 patients and 122 healthy controls were included. All participants were stratified into four groups according to their age: 18–29 years, 30–39 years, 40–49 years, and 50–59 years. Clinical data, plasma Hcy levels, and cognitive function score were collected. Cognitive function was evaluated using the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery of tests assessing speed of processing, verbal learning and memory, visual learning and memory, working memory, and attention/vigilance. Compared with the healthy group, Hcy levels increased significantly, and all the measured cognitive function score were significantly lower in all age groups of patients with schizophrenia (p < 0.001). Hcy levels were negatively associated with speed of processing (SoP), working memory (WM), and visual learning and memory (Vis Lrng) score in 18–29 years. Further multiple regression analysis showed that SoP were independently associated with Hcy levels in patients with schizophrenia aged 18–29 years (B = 0.74, t = 3.12, p = 0.008). Based on our results, patients with schizophrenia performed worse on cognitive assessments and Hcy levels were more closely related to cognition in young patients.

scholarly journals Intervention for executive functions in attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder

2015 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
pp. 227-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Menezes ◽  
Natália Martins Dias ◽  
Bruna Tonietti Trevisan ◽  
Luiz Renato R. Carreiro ◽  
Alessandra Gotuzo Seabra
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Intelligence Quotient ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Inattention And Hyperactivity ◽  
And Control ◽  
Weekly Group

This study aimed to investigate if an executive functions (EF) intervention could promote these skills in individuals with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Eighteen children and adolescents, 7-13 years old, divided into experimental (EG, N = 8) and control (CG, N = 10) groups, were assessed in the Block Design and Vocabulary subtests of the WISC III and seven tests of EF. Parents answered two scales, measuring EF and inattention and hyperactivity signs. EG children participated in a program to promote EF in twice-weekly group sessions of one hour each. After 8 months of intervention, groups were assessed again. ANCOVA, controlling for age, intelligence quotient and pretest performance, revealed gains in attention/inhibition and auditory working memory measures for the EG. No effect was found for scales or measures of more complex EF. Results are not conclusive, but they illustrate some promising data about EF interventions in children and adolescents with ADHD.

scholarly journals Logicamente: uma Plataforma Digital para Estimulação das Funções Executivas

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 488-492
Author(s):  
Anderson Sampaio Carapiá ◽  
Larissa Ribeiro Bastos ◽  
Márcio Renê Brandão Soussa ◽  
Lynn Rosalina Gama Alves ◽  
William de Souza Santos
Keyword(s):  
Academic Performance ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Adult Female ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Digital Games ◽  
Minimum Amount ◽  
Tower Of Hanoi ◽  
Minimum Number ◽  
Game Platform

Resumo As funções executivas têm um papel fundamental para o desempenho acadêmico, pois elas são responsáveis pelo controle, monitoramento e regulação das ações, pensamentos e emoções. Desta forma, o estímulo a essas funções pode trazer contribuições importantes para o processo de aprendizagem e uma das estratégias que vem sendo utilizada para essa estimulação é através do uso de variados jogos digitais. Portanto, este artigo tem por objetivo relatar os achados iniciais das interações de diversos usuários com o jogo Torre de Hanói, que compõe a plataforma de jogos intitulada LogicaMente. Para tanto, foram coletadas informações de 3.524 partidas realizadas por 1.324 jogadores de diferentes faixas etárias e de ambos os sexos e dentre os resultados, foi identificado que apenas 32,5% dos jogadores conseguiram finalizar o jogo Torre de Hanói com o número mínimo de movimentações no modo fácil (com 3 discos) e menos ainda, 12,2% no modo difícil (com 4 discos). Como conclusão, foi identificado que houve um predomínio do público adulto de gênero feminino, que os interatores demonstram ter uma dificuldade em concluir o jogo na menor quantidade de movimentos, mas observou-se que a persistência pode ter sido um dos motivadores para que os jogadores obtivessem êxito a partir das suas novas tentativas. Palavras-chave: Funções Executivas. Jogos Digitais. Torre de Hanói. Abstract The executive functions play a key role in academic performance, as they are responsible for controlling, monitoring, and regulating actions, thoughts, and emotions. In this way, stimulating these functions can bring contributions for the learning process and one of the approaches that have been used for this stimulation is through the use of various digital games. Therefore, this article aims at reporting initial findings of the interactions of several users with the game Tower of Hanoi, which is part of the game platform entitled LogicaMente. For this purpose, information were collected over 3,524 matches played by 1,324 players from different age groups and both genders and among the results, it was identified that only 32.5% of the players managed to finalize the Tower of Hanoi game with the minimum number of movements in easy mode (with 3 discs) and even less, 12.2% in difficult mode (with 4 discs). As a conclusion, it was noticed a predominance of adult female players, the interactors had difficulty in completing the game with the minimum amount of movements. However, it was observed that persistence may have been one of the motivators for the players to succeed from their new attempts. Keywords: Executive Functions. Digital games. Tower of Hanoi.

scholarly journals Fundamental Relationships of Executive Functions and Physiological Abilities with Game Intelligence, Game Time and Injuries in Elite Soccer Players

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans-Erik Scharfen ◽  
Daniel Memmert
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Cognitive Flexibility ◽  
Working Memory Capacity ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Endurance Performance ◽  
Memory Capacity ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Injury Incidence ◽  
Performance Parameters

Abstract Objectives: The study’s aim was threefold: examine 1) the relation between executive functions and coach-rated evaluation of game intelligence; 2) the predictive value of cognitive and athletic performance parameters concerning playing time, and 3) injuries to analyze fundamental associations of soccer expertise across all ages.Design/Methods: A sample of 172 elite soccer players (12-34 years of age) performed tests assessing multiple-object tracking, working memory capacity, cognitive flexibility, and inhibition. Endurance-performance at the individual anaerobic threshold (IAT), ability to repeatedly perform intense exercises (RIEA) and maximal anaerobic performance parameters (squat jump, countermovement jump, drop jump, sprint) were also measured. Game intelligence game time and injury incidence were tracked.Results: Working memory capacity, cognitive flexibility, and a total cognition score showed correlations with game intelligence, and the same parameter, along with selective attention and game intelligence, were also correlated with game time. Sprint and RIEA were connected with game time, whereas contact injuries only correlated with sprint, and noncontact injuries with sprint and performance-IAT.Conclusion: Especially executive functions represent fundamental associations with game intelligence and game time across all age groups but not with injury incidences, whereas certain physiological abilities may contribute to more game time and less non-contact injuries depending on age.

scholarly journals Association Between Plasma Homocysteine Levels and Cognitive Deficits in Han Chinese Patients with Schizophrenia across Age Groups

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumiao Zhou ◽  
Yuanyuan Huang ◽  
Yangdong Feng ◽  
Hehua Li ◽  
Kai Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Learning And Memory ◽  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Visual Learning ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Speed Of Processing ◽  
Function Score ◽  
Cognitive Function Score

Abstract Background: It was still unclear how homocysteine (Hcy) levels and cognitive deficits change in patients with schizophrenia of various ages. The present article attempts to assess the relationship between Hcy levels and cognitive deficits in patients with schizophrenia across age groups, especially in young people.Methods: Totals of 103 patients and 122 healthy controls were included. All participants were stratified into four groups according to their age: 18-29 years, 30-39 years, 40-49 years, and 50-59 years. Clinical data, plasma Hcy levels, and cognitive function score were collected. Cognitive function was evaluated using the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery of tests assessing speed of processing, verbal learning and memory, visual learning and memory, working memory, and attention/vigilance.Results: Compared with the healthy group, Hcy levels increased significantly, and all the measured cognitive function score were significantly lower in all age groups of patients with schizophrenia (p < 0.001). Hcy levels were negatively associated with speed of processing (SoP), working memory (WM), and visual learning and memory (Vis Lrng) score in 18-29 years. Further multiple regression analysis showed that SoP were independently associated with Hcy levels in patients with schizophrenia aged 18-29 years (B = 0.61, t = 3.17, p = 0.013).Conclusions: Based on our results, patients with schizophrenia performed worse on cognitive assessments and Hcy levels were more closely related to cognition in young patients.

scholarly journals M59. THE ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN THEORY OF MIND AND NEUROCOGNITION IN RECENT ONSET PSYCHOSIS

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S157-S157
Author(s):  
Élisabeth Thibaudeau ◽  
William Pothier ◽  
Andréanne Lavoie ◽  
Mélissa Turcotte ◽  
Amélie M Achim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Visual Learning ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Mental States ◽  
Speed Of Processing ◽  
Recent Onset ◽  
Reasoning Problem

Abstract Background Deficits in theory of mind (ToM), the ability to infer the mental states of others, are common in psychotic disorders and are associated with functioning difficulties. While ToM is a social cognitive process, several neurocognitive processes are involved when inferring the mental states of others. A better understanding of the associations between ToM and neurocognitive domains could help better target treatment for ToM in schizophrenia. A recent meta-analysis has revealed that all neurocognitive domains are moderately associated with ToM in schizophrenia, but very few studies have looked at these associations in recent onset psychosis. These studies showed associations between ToM and speed of processing, episodic memory and executive functions although few neurocognitive domains have been assessed in each study. The aim of this study was to determine the associations between ToM and the key neurocognitive domains in recent onset psychosis. Methods These results are part of a larger study that aimed to determine the cognitive predictors of return to work or school in recent onset psychosis. Twenty-seven recent onset psychosis patients were recruited for this study, with a mean age of 24.9 years. The clinical assessment included the Combined Stories Test for ToM and the Matrics Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) for neurocognition. The MCCB assesses the key cognitive domains relevant for schizophrenia, including attention/vigilance, speed of processing, working memory, verbal learning, visual learning, reasoning/problem solving and social cognition. Pearson correlations were conducted between the ToM scores of the Combined Stories Test and each neurocognitive domain of the MCCB. Results Correlations revealed a moderate to strong association between ToM and working memory (r = 0.443, p = 0.021), visual learning (r = 0.493, p = 0.009) and verbal learning (r = 0.443, p = 0.021). The correlations between ToM and attention/vigilance, speed of processing and reasoning/problem solving were not significant (p &gt; 0.05). Discussion This is the first study that has assessed the associations between ToM and the neurocognitive domains of the MCCB in recent onset psychosis. This study did not show association between ToM and speed of processing nor executive functions, but rather with working memory and learning. These contradictory results could be explained by the large heterogeneity of tasks used across studies, particularly ToM tasks that often present with psychometric limitations such as ceiling effect. Learning processes highlighted here should be considered in the understanding of the therapeutic response following a cognitive remediation therapy for ToM in recent onset psychosis.

scholarly journals A Review of Executive Functions in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 107
Author(s):  
Carmen Berenguer ◽  
Belen Rosello ◽  
Geraldine Leader
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Response Inhibition ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are two of the most common childhood-onset neurodevelopmental disorders. Literature has shown different patterns of deficits in executive functioning in children with ASD and ADHD. To date few studies have examined executive functions in both ASD and ADHD and with mixed results.The current study provides the first systematic review to explore distinct executive function components (attention problems, response inhibition, working memory, planning and flexibility) that underlie the specific deficits seen in children and adolescents with both ASD and ADHD disorders. Findings provide evidence for executive dysfunctions across different key components such as attention, response inhibition and verbal working memory in children and adolescents with ASD and comorbid ADHD clinical symptoms. This research explores the neurocognitive profile of the comorbid condition, which is also critical for designing appropriate interventions.

scholarly journals Features of Media Multitasking in School-Age Children

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 130
Author(s):  
Galina Soldatova ◽  
Svetlana Chigarkova ◽  
Anna Dreneva
Keyword(s):  
Executive Functions ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
Media Multitasking ◽  
Strong Connection ◽  
Performance Time ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
And Performance

The paper addresses the phenomenon of media multitasking that is being widely spread among children and adolescents in the context of digital socialization. The previous research has revealed its strong connection with cognitive control, executive functions, and academic performance, yet the specificity and efficacy of media multitasking performance, especially among children while they carry out usual activities, remains insufficiently studied. A quasi-experimental study, including digital tasks of various types on a computer and smartphone, the dots task for executive functions, and a socio-psychological questionnaire, was conducted with the participants of three age groups: 7–10, 11–13, and 14–16 years old (N = 154). The results indicate that media multitasking is connected not with sex, but age; the older the participants are, the more likely they tend to work in a multitasking mode. Furthermore, preference for multitasking has been found to be positively related to higher user activity. Although the total task performance rate is insignificantly lower in the multitasking group as compared to the non-multitasking one, a significant negative effect of media multitasking on total performance time was revealed. The results of the study that indicate a strong connection of media multitasking with the intensity of Internet usage, cognitive functions, and performance time, suggest its considerable role in social and cognitive functioning of children and adolescents.

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