Executive Function and Language

These flashcards cover key concepts and vocabulary related to executive functions and language, based on the provided lecture notes.

Executive Function

A set of cognitive processes that include action selection, impulse control, risk assessment, working memory, attention, planning, decision-making, and emotional control.

Prefrontal Cortex

The region of the brain associated with executive function, which integrates inputs from memory, sensory, motor feedback, and internal states to influence behavior.

• ventromedial prefrontal cortex

• Orbital prefrontal cortex OFC

• Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex

VmPFC & OFC - assessing the value and risk associated with different outcomes

DLPFC - making the decision about acting based on value and risk associated

Strength of connection between these cortical areas correlates with low impulsivity and ability to delay gratification 

Working Memory

The ability to maintain recent experiences and future actions in neural activity without sensory input.

Neuroeconomics

A valuation system that ranks choices based on the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and dopamine-based reward system.

Impulse Control

The ability to resist immediate temptations or urges in favor of long-term goals or rewards.

Delay Discounting

The tendency to favor immediate rewards over larger rewards that require a wait.

Broca's Aphasia

A language disorder characterized by halting speech, reduced output, and disordered grammar but with preserved comprehension.

• agrammaticism- difficulty using grammatical constructions

• Anemia- word-finding difficulty

• Articulation deficits- pronunciation difficulty 

Wernicke's Aphasia

A language disorder characterized by fluent speech that lacks meaning and impaired comprehension.

• pure word deafness

  • Word recognition - perceptual

• Transcortical sensory aphasia 

  • Comprehension - memory retrieval 

Agrammaticism

Difficulty using grammatical constructions as seen in Broca's aphasia.

Anomia

Word-finding difficulty often observed in individuals with brain damage affecting language.

Prosody

The rhythmic and melodic aspects of speech that convey emotional tone and stress.

Critical Period

A window in development during which the acquisition of language occurs most easily.

Catecholamines

Neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine that are involved in regulating attention and memory.

Working memory and attention require optimal levels of catecholamines

Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) breaks down catecholamine neurotransmitters after release (form of the gene containing methionine is less active than that containing valine)

Val-Val genetic variant

• more COMT enzyme & therefore lower levels of catecholamines in the brain

Met-Met genetic variant

• less COMT enzyme & therefore higher levels of catecholamines in the brain

Neural Correlate of Working Memory

Observed activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) of primates.

Dopamine-based Reward System

A system in the brain that evaluates the reward value of choices, influencing decision-making processes.

Aphasias

Language disorders characterized by the loss of ability to produce or comprehend language due to brain damage.

Broca’s aphasia

• halting speech

• Repetitive

• Disordered grammar

• Semantically adequate

Wernicke’s aphasia

• fluent speech

• Little repetition

• Grammar adequate 

• Contrived or inappropriate words — nonsense 

Costly decision

a costly decision is associated with activation of the amygdala and orbiofrontal cortex, signaling

• diminished reward

• Aversion to loss

ADHD

aberrant function of prefrontal cortex & striatum

• reduced ability of delayed reinforcement to support behavior

• Increased ability of immediate reinforcement to drive behavior (hyperactivity)

• delayed maturation of PFC observed in children with ADHD

• High reinforcement value reveals intact ability to maintain attention & focus in people with ADHD

ADHD treatments modify catecholamine systems - stimulants that block reuptake 

what is language?

Comprehension (listening, reading)

• word recognition 

• Word meaning

• Emotional content 

Speech production (talking, writing)

• motor commands for fine, coordinated movements of facial, jaw, tongue, lips, vocal cords..

  • Sensory feedback from hearing your own voice 

language rules

grammar & syntax - organizational rules

Semantics - meaning

language is lateralized

Left hemisphere

• language production

• Language comprehension

Right hemisphere

• prosody: melody, tone of voice, stress on words and syllables

• Emotional aspects of speech

• Comprehending humor, metaphor and morals