Week 15: Executive Function & Functional Cognition

cognition

information processing skills carried out by the brain, can be conscious or unconscious

what are some information processing skills that are included within cognition?

attention, memory, executive functions

cognitive dysfunction

cognitive functioning below expected norm or loss of any area of cognitive functioning

cognitive rehabilitation

therapeutic services designed to improve cognitive functioning and participation in activities that may be impacted by difficulties with cognitive function

executive function

cognitive skills required for higher levels of thinking, including planning, initiation, problem solving, organization, etc

functional cognition

how people utilize and integrate thinking and processing skills to complete and participate in everyday activities in various settings

ideational praxis

ability to comprehend the motor skills required for the task

ideomotor planning

ability to mentally access the appropriate motor plan stored within the premotor area and physically execute the appropriate motor plan

metacognition

awareness and judgement of own cognitive abilities

neuroplasticity

brain’s ability to change and function throughout the lifespan

self awareness

cognitive ability to know one’s own capacities, limitations and level of function

where do executive functions primarily occur?

prefrontal cortex

what are the three dimensions of executive function?

1. working memory

2. inhibitory control

3. cognitive or mental flexibility

working memory

ability to hold and utilize information in the brain over a short period of time

where does utilizing working memory primarily occur?

prefrontal cortex

inhibitory control

filtering reactions to temptations, distractions and habits; allows for selective attention, sustained attention, maintaining focus, etc

where does multitasking occur in the brain?

anterior prefrontal cortex, frontal pole and rostral prefrontal cortex

where does information filtration occur within the brain?

reticular activating system

cognitive flexibility

adjusting demands, priorities or perspectives quickly or as needed

where does cognitive flexibility primarily occur?

prefrontal cortex

prefrontal cortex is located where?

in frontal lobe

function of prefrontal cortex

controls various executive functions like behavior, motor and emotional circuits due to proximity to motor and sensory cortices, limbic system and cerebellum

planning

creating and developing a process for doing or achieving something

where does the majority of planning take place within the brain?

prefrontal cortex

problem solving

completing steps in order to meet a desired goal

where does problem solving take place in general?

prefrontal cortex

organizing

process of combining different parts in a particular order

where does organizing take place in the brain?

frontal lobe

judgement

making thoughtful decisions or coming to sensible conclusions

where does judgement take place in the brain?

prefrontal cortex

categorization

how brain groups items and events into functional categories, usually based on certain traits

name three areas of the brain that are involved in categorization

1. visual cortex

2. prefrontal cortex

3. parietal cortex

sequencing

process of perceiving, representing and executing actions in a specific order to complete a task appropriately

where does sequencing take place?

prefrontal cortex

what are the three common features of sequencing?

1. structured based on overarching goal and small tasks needed to meet goal

2. steps are constant but motor sequences can vary

3. often completed without external cues

abstract reasoning

ability to understand subjects on a complex level

where does abstract reasoning take place?

prefrontal cortex

divergent thinking

thought process or method used to generate creative ideas by exploring many possible solutions

where does divergent thinking take place in the brain?

1. prefrontal cortex

2. right medial temporal lobe

conceptualization

ability to invent or formulate an idea

what two locations of the brain are involved in conceptualization?

1. hippocampus

2. prefrontal cortex

in what part of the brain does self awareness occur?

prefrontal cortex

speech comprehension

receiving and understanding information from the voice and body language of another individual or modality

is Broca’s area in the left or right hemisphere of the brain?

left

Broca’s area

aids in speech production and articulation

where is Wernicke’s area located?

posterior superior temporal lobe

Wernicke’s area

aids in speech comprehension and written/spoken language processing

angular gyrus

associating language-related information, such as auditory, visual and/or sensory information

arithmetic

mathematic concept that incorporates various cognitive skills, such as problem solving and processing numbers

where do calculation skills primarily occur in the brain?

inferior parietal lobe regions

visual perception

ability to gather information from the environment and use it to complete daily activities

praxis

ability to plan and implement various skilled and learned movements throughout daily life

ideational praxis

ability to comprehend the motor skills required for a task

where do praxis skills primarily occur in the brain?

primary motor cortex, premotor area, motor homunculus

what are some factors that impact cognitive functions?

neurological disease, mental health conditions, genetics and development, life stressors

when should executive function skills begin to emerge by?

12 months

what are some ways that you can promote EF skill development?

reducing stress, facilitating social connections, repetitive practice of skills