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

Report writing, write a report based on a school activities.

write a report based on a school activities.

Contract administration and financial management, QUESTION Outsourcing ...

QUESTION Outsourcing has been declared as a life saver for many firms. However, outsourcing relationships need to be managed carefully to gain maximum benefits (a) What woul

#title governance and leadership skills development, #question.(a)examine t...

#question.(a)examine the role of governance on development projects in rural areas.(b)explain how leadership influence governance in public sector.

Discuss marxs concept of alienation, Question 1: The process of alienat...

Question 1: The process of alienation is broken down into four conceptually discrete but related spheres. Discuss Marx's concept of alienation. Give examples from the lab

Oral suctioning, To remove mucus that may be building up in the throat to a...

To remove mucus that may be building up in the throat to avoid the person from chocking and becoming ill this will help to improve the flow of air into the lungs resulting in patie

Ethical dilemma- cheating on exams, If I cheat on a test should I tell the ...

If I cheat on a test should I tell the teacher I dit it so? Is there such a thing as an ethical compromise?

Graphically explain the optimal level of pollution, Question 1 Why is the...

Question 1 Why is the Harrod Model called a 'razor-edge' model? Question 2 Enumerate the reasons and events that validate balanced growth and the big push Questio

Information and technology, Information and Technology: Information techno...

Information and Technology: Information technology (IT) is a term that encompasses all of the forms of technology used to create, exchange, store and use information in its severa

Folkloristics, Folkloristics: Folkloristics is the formal study of folk...

Folkloristics: Folkloristics is the formal study of folklore, or traditional expressive culture. Folklorists study and analyze the artistic, expressive aspects of culture that

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