Neuro-cognitive architecture of executive functions: A latent variable analysis

Ambrosini, Ettore; Arbula, Sandra; Rossato, Chiara; Pacella, Valentina; Vallesi, Antonino

doi:10.1016/j.cortex.2019.07.013

Cited by 28 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 89 publications

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“…Computational modeling offers a technique to decompose behavior on neuropsychological assessment instruments into assumed latent cognitive processes, allowing inferences closer to the level of covert cognitive processes [ 41 , 46 ]. Importantly, latent variables, which reflect the efficacy of covert cognitive processes, are unambiguously defined (see Appendix B ) and, thereby, may replace the traditional verbal constructs of neuropsychological assessment [ 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 ]. The present study exemplifies that latent variables obtained from computational modeling may provide indicators of shared latent symptoms as well as nosologically specific differentiable facets of latent executive dysfunctions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Computational cognitive neuropsychology offers an approach to decompose behavior that was observed on neuropsychological assessment instruments into covert cognitive processes [ 41 , 46 ]. Computational cognitive neuropsychology utilizes mathematical formalization of (1) the assumed covert cognitive processes, and (2) the way in which these processes interact [ 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 ]. Analyzing behavior on a neuropsychological assessment instrument, such as the WCST, via computational modeling allows estimating a set of latent variables, which reflect the efficacy of the assumed covert cognitive processes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Computational Study of Executive Dysfunction in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Steinke

Lange

Seer

et al. 2020

JCM

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Executive dysfunction is a well-documented, yet nonspecific corollary of various neurological diseases and psychiatric disorders. Here, we applied computational modeling of latent cognition for executive control in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. We utilized a parallel reinforcement learning model of trial-by-trial Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) behavior. Eighteen ALS patients and 21 matched healthy control participants were assessed on a computerized variant of the WCST (cWCST). ALS patients showed latent cognitive symptoms, which can be characterized as bradyphrenia and haphazard responding. A comparison with results from a recent computational Parkinson’s disease (PD) study (Steinke et al., 2020, J Clin Med) suggests that bradyphrenia represents a disease-nonspecific latent cognitive symptom of ALS and PD patients alike. Haphazard responding seems to be a disease-specific latent cognitive symptom of ALS, whereas impaired stimulus-response learning seems to be a disease-specific latent cognitive symptom of PD. These data were obtained from the careful modeling of trial-by-trial behavior on the cWCST, and they suggest that computational cognitive neuropsychology provides nosologically specific indicators of latent facets of executive dysfunction in ALS (and PD) patients, which remain undiscoverable for traditional behavioral cognitive neuropsychology. We discuss implications for neuropsychological assessment, and we discuss opportunities for confirmatory computational brain imaging studies.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Computational Study of Executive Dysfunction in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Steinke

Lange

Seer

et al. 2020

JCM

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“…Therefore, multiple measures of the same construct are necessary to obtain an estimate of the underlying EF, above and beyond the task specifics. We used this approach in several of our studies (e.g., Ambrosini, Arbula, Rossato, Pacella, & Vallesi, 2019;Tarantino, Mazzonetto, Formica, Causin, & Vallesi, 2017;Capizzi, Ambrosini, Arbula, Mazzonetto, & Vallesi, 2016a;Babcock & Vallesi, 2015;Capizzi, Fehér, Penolazzi, & Vallesi, 2015;Vallesi, Arbula, Capizzi, Causin, & D'Avella, 2015). In some cases (e.g., Furlan, Babcock, & Vallesi, 2018;Capizzi et al, 2016a;Capizzi, Ambrosini, Arbula, Mazzonetto, & Vallesi, 2016b), we kept task material constant and only changed the nature of the task that participants had to perform on this material (and consequently the required EF).…”

Section: Studies On Left Lateralization Of Criterion Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Given all the accumulated evidence reviewed above, we used a confirmatory factor analysis to "close the loop," as Don Stuss used to say, by formally testing multiple theoretical models on how the two investigated executive processes might interact with the task domain (Ambrosini et al, 2019). Previous factor analysis works on EF were usually uninformative regarding how the models corroborated through factor analysis might be implemented in the brain.…”

Section: Toward a Synthesismentioning

confidence: 99%

The Quest for Hemispheric Asymmetries Supporting and Predicting Executive Functioning

Vallesi

2021

Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience

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This narrative review addresses the neural bases of two executive functions: criterion setting, that is, the capacity to flexibly set up and select task rules and associations between stimuli, responses, and nonresponses, and monitoring, that is, the process of continuously evaluating whether task rules are being applied optimally. There is a documented tendency for criterion setting and monitoring to differentially recruit left and right lateral prefrontal regions and connected networks, respectively, above and beyond the specific task context. This model, known as the ROtman–Baycrest Battery to Investigate Attention model, initially sprung from extensive neuropsychological work leaded by Don Stuss. In subsequent years, multimodal lines of empirical investigation on both healthy individuals and individuals with brain damage, coming from functional neuroimaging, EEG, neurostimulation, individual difference approaches, and, again, neuropsychology, so to “complete the circle,” corroborated the functional mapping across the two hemispheres as predicted by the model. More recent electrophysiological evidence has further shown that hemispheric differences in intrinsic prefrontal dynamics are able to predict cognitive performance in tasks tapping these domain-general functions. These empirical contributions will be presented together with contrasting evidence, limits, and possible future directions to better fine-tune this model and extend its scope to new fields.

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“…Executive functions can be described as the higher order or metacognitive functions that are utilized to regulate a self-directed set of purpose-oriented actions in novel or nonhabitual situations [ 12 , 13 ]. These functions, which also enable an individual to flexibly regulate and control his or her own mind and behavior to achieve goals through the operation of fundamental cognitive processes [ 14 ], may be regarded as a significant characteristic of elite athletes. For example, athletes, regardless of whether they play self-paced sports (e.g., golf, bowling, and archery) or externally paced sports (e.g., tennis, baseball), have been found to achieve higher scores on executive function-related tasks than nonathletes [ 15 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mindfulness Training Enhances Endurance Performance and Executive Functions in Athletes: An Event-Related Potential Study

Nien

Yang

et al. 2020

Neural Plasticity

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Mindfulness interventions have been linked to improved sport performance and executive functions; however, few studies have explored the effects of mindfulness on sport performance and executive functions simultaneously. This study sought to examine whether a mindfulness training program would affect both the endurance performance and executive functions of athletes. In addition, event-related potentials (ERPs) associated with the Stroop task were assessed to investigate the potential electrophysiological activation associated with the mindfulness training. Applying a quasiexperimental design, forty-six university athletes were recruited and assigned into a five-week mindfulness training program or a waiting list control group. For each participant, the mindfulness level, endurance performance assessed by a graded exercise test, executive functions assessed via Stroop task, and N2 component of ERPs were measured prior to and following the 5-week intervention. After adjusting for the preintervention scores as a covariate, it was found that the postintervention mindfulness level, exhaustion time, and Stroop task accuracy scores, regardless of task condition, of the mindfulness group were higher than those of the control group. The mindfulness group also exhibited a smaller N2 amplitude than the control group. These results suggest that the five-week mindfulness program can enhance the mindfulness level, endurance performance, and multiple cognitive functions, including executive functions, of university athletes. Mindfulness training may also reduce conflict monitoring in neural processes.

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Neuro-cognitive architecture of executive functions: A latent variable analysis

Cited by 28 publications

References 89 publications

A Computational Study of Executive Dysfunction in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

A Computational Study of Executive Dysfunction in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

The Quest for Hemispheric Asymmetries Supporting and Predicting Executive Functioning

Mindfulness Training Enhances Endurance Performance and Executive Functions in Athletes: An Event-Related Potential Study

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