scholarly journals Goal-directed top-down control of perceptual representations: A computational model of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Granato ◽  
Gianluca Baldassarre
Keyword(s):  
Computational Model ◽  
Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ◽  
Card Sorting ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Perceptual Representations ◽  
Wisconsin Card Sorting ◽  
Sorting Test

scholarly journals Internal Manipulation of Perceptual Representations in Human Flexible Cognition: A Computational Model

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Granato ◽  
Gianluca Baldassarre
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Computational Model ◽  
Cognitive Flexibility ◽  
Computational Models ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ◽  
Card Sorting ◽  
Perceptual Representations ◽  
Dependent Learning ◽  
Sorting Test

Executive functions represent a wide set of goal-directed cognitive processes that rely on integrated cortical-basal ganglia brain systems and are at the basis of human flexible behaviour. Several computational models have been proposed to study cognitive flexibility and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), an important neuropsychological test used for measuring such function. These models clarify important aspects of cognitive flexibility, in particular the processes concerning decision making, motor response, and feedback-dependent learning. However, several studies suggest that categorisation processes, as those involved in the solution of the WCST, also involve a fundamental category representation stage supporting the other processes. Surprisingly, all models of the WCST ignore such fundamental stage and propose that decision making directly triggers actions. Here we propose a novel hypothesis for which the key element of cognitive flexibility resides on the acquisition of suitable representations of percepts, and their top-down internal manipulation, to prepare effective actions. We also propose a neuro-inspired computational model to operationalise the hypothesis. The model is validated by systematically reproducing and interpreting the behaviour of healthy young and old adults, and of frontal and Parkinson pathological patients. The hypothesis and model also allow the proposal of a new version of the WCST that might be used to further investigate the important role of the internal manipulation of representations here proposed to be at the core of flexible goal-directed behaviour.

Dopaminergic Genes Polymorphisms and Prefrontal Cortex Efficiency Among Obese People - Whether Gender is a Differentiating Factor?

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 405-418
Author(s):  
Maciej Bieliński ◽  
Natalia Lesiewska ◽  
Roman Junik ◽  
Anna Kamińska ◽  
Andrzej Tretyn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Tandem Repeats ◽  
Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ◽  
Variable Number ◽  
Card Sorting ◽  
Obese People ◽  
Perseverative Errors ◽  
Wisconsin Card Sorting ◽  
Sorting Test

Background:Obesity is a chronic condition associated with poorer cognitive functioning. Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) is a useful tool for evaluating executive functions. In this study, we assessed the association between dopaminergic gene polymorphisms: DAT1 (SLC6A3), COMTVal158Met, DRD4 (48-bp variable number of tandem repeats - VNTR) and WCST parameters to investigate the functions of the frontal lobes in obese individuals.Objective:To find the significant correlations between polymorphisms of DAT1, COMTVal158Met, DRD4 and executive functions in obese subjects.Methods:The analysis of the frequency of individual alleles was performed in 248 obese patients (179 women, 69 men). Evaluation of the prefrontal cortex function (operating memory and executive functions) was measured with the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). Separate analyzes were performed in age subgroups to determine different activities and regulation of genes in younger and older participants.Results:Scores of WCST parameters were different in the subgroups of women and men and in the age subgroups. Regarding the COMT gene, patients with A/A and G/A polymorphisms showed significantly better WCST results in WCST_P, WCST_CC and WCST_1st. Regarding DAT1 men with L/L and L/S made less non-perseverative errors, which was statistically significant. In DRD4, significantly better WCST_1st results were found only in older women with S allele.Conclusion:Obtained results indicate the involvement of dopaminergic transmission in the regulation of prefrontal cortex function. Data analysis indicates that prefrontal cortex function may ensue, from different elements such as genetic factors, metabolic aspects of obesity, and hormonal activity (estrogen).

Fast Neural Dynamics of Proactive Cognitive Control in a Task-Switching Analogue of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 407-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gema Díaz-Blancat ◽  
Juan García-Prieto ◽  
Fernando Maestú ◽  
Francisco Barceló
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Control ◽  
Task Switching ◽  
Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ◽  
Neural Dynamics ◽  
Card Sorting ◽  
Wisconsin Card Sorting ◽  
Sorting Test

No deficit in Wisconsin Card Sorting Test performance of schizophrenic patients' first-degree relatives

1997 ◽  
Vol 26 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 147-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Stratta ◽  
E Daneluzzo ◽  
P Mattei ◽  
M Bustini ◽  
M Casacchia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Test Performance ◽  
Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ◽  
Card Sorting ◽  
First Degree Relatives ◽  
Schizophrenic Patients ◽  
Wisconsin Card Sorting ◽  
Sorting Test
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