Executive functions in cognitive neuroscience, Other Subject

Assignment Help:
Executive functions refer to a range of higher-order cognitive functions that enable organized and goal-directed behavior. Problems manifested by two exemplary brain damaged patients help illustrate the role executive functions play in cognition and everyday life. The first example is patient A, who suffers brain damage in a traffic accident. In the hospital he seems to recover well. He is able to perform relatively well in standard intelligence quotient tests as well as in other tests that are used in clinical neuropsyhological examination, such as tests for memory and attention. Surprising problems emerge, however, during the weeks following release from hospital. Relatives soon begin to complain that the patient’s behavior seems impulsive and erratic, selling his luxurious home for few thousands, forgetting to pay items that he takes from the store, and ending up in quarrels with his friends and neighbours.


Another exemplary patient, here called patient B, suffers a stroke. After initial recovery he too shows surprisingly intact performance in standard clinical neuropsychological tests. It does not, however, take long before his relatives start complaining about what they describe as apathy and lack of initiative exhibited by the patient at home. He fails to initiate and carry through any behaviors on his own. However, if instructed and supervised through a sequence of behaviors such as preparing and eating breakfast he carries out the tasks without major problems. What these exemplary patient cases have in common is that both exhibit problems in executive functions that often follow from damage to the frontal lobes of the brain, especially to prefrontal cortical areas. Findings pertaining to this will be described in the following.

Related Discussions:- Executive functions in cognitive neuroscience

Please check this small paragraph, To: The General hospitals From: Salma ...

To: The General hospitals From: Salma Umme, 7717 hough ave, Cleveland, oh-44103 Date: March 7, 2012 Subject: Some issues that I feel is important in my Nursing Area Throughout

Explain the meaning and concept of organizational culture, Question 1: ...

Question 1: (a) What is perception and discuss its importance? (b) Elaborate on the attribution theory and explain its consequence in judging the behaviors of people at wo

Geometry, I need help with answering area with circles and polygons.

I need help with answering area with circles and polygons.

Discuss the criteria-based evaluation, Question 1: Discuss the ‘criteri...

Question 1: Discuss the ‘criteria-based evaluation' approach to the selection of areas for conservation. Question 2: Outline the conservation management undertaken on t

Family life education, you being a teacher describe your experience regardi...

you being a teacher describe your experience regarding the role of school parent and peers in imparting family life education.

Transaction steps in credit cards, The flow of money and  information betwe...

The flow of money and  information between these parties - forever via  the card relations - is known as the substitution, and it consists of a few steps. TRANSACTION STEPS

Explain the factors involved in our social behaviour, Question 1: (a) ...

Question 1: (a) Define organizational psychology and give a historical account of it's evolution from past to present. (b) Define social psychology & explain the factors i

Test, give me work sheets to do

give me work sheets to do

How technology can improve online learning, Please reply to this first stud...

Please reply to this first student response: How technology can improve online learning In this article "How Technology Can Improve Online Learning" Robert Mendenhall tells us more

New media, New Media: We define "new media" as interactive forms of commun...

New Media: We define "new media" as interactive forms of communication that use the Internet, including podcasts, RSS feeds, social networks, text messaging, blogs, wikis, virtual

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd