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22 pages, 3009 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Between Shifting and Feedback Processing in the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test in Children with Developmental Language Disorder

by Kristina Giandomenico, Lauren S. Baron, Asiya Gul and Yael Arbel

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(8), 1128; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13081128 - 26 Jul 2023

Viewed by 1355

Abstract

Children with developmental language disorder (DLD) demonstrate deficits in executive functioning; however, the specific components of executive functioning that are affected in this population are not well understood. This study evaluated set shifting and feedback processing in a Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) [...] Read more.

Children with developmental language disorder (DLD) demonstrate deficits in executive functioning; however, the specific components of executive functioning that are affected in this population are not well understood. This study evaluated set shifting and feedback processing in a Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) performed by 24 children with and without DLD. The behavioral results revealed poorer performance by the DLD group in measures of accuracy, proportion of correct rule shifts, perseverative errors on shift trials, and proportion of effective responses to feedback. Electrophysiological measures (event-related potentials, or ERPs) indicated different patterns of response to negative feedback that signaled the need for rule shifting, with the DLD group showing a trend toward processing shift cues as negative feedback. Group differences were found in the processing of the first and last positive feedback, with overall stronger responses to positive feedback by children with DLD. However, both groups showed a similar pattern of diminished attention to positive feedback when rule learning was established. Taken together, children with DLD demonstrated the inefficient processing of negative feedback in the context of rule-shifting and difficulty in establishing and maintaining a rule. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neural Basis of Executive Control)

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20 pages, 7025 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex in the Production and Comprehension of Phonologically and Semantically Related Words

by Lindsay K. Butler, Meredith Pecukonis, De’Ja Rogers, David A. Boas, Helen Tager-Flusberg and Meryem A. Yücel

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(7), 1113; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13071113 - 22 Jul 2023

Viewed by 1499

Abstract

Previous studies suggest that producing and comprehending semantically related words relies on inhibitory control over competitive lexical selection which results in the recruitment of the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG). Few studies, however, have examined the involvement of other regions of the frontal [...] Read more.

Previous studies suggest that producing and comprehending semantically related words relies on inhibitory control over competitive lexical selection which results in the recruitment of the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG). Few studies, however, have examined the involvement of other regions of the frontal cortex, such as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), despite its role in cognitive control related to lexical processing. The primary objective of this study was to elucidate the role of the DLPFC in the production and comprehension of semantically and phonologically related words in blocked cyclic naming and picture–word matching paradigms. Twenty-one adults participated in neuroimaging with functional near-infrared spectroscopy to measure changes in oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin concentrations across the bilateral frontal cortex during blocked cyclic picture naming and blocked cyclic picture–word-matching tasks. After preprocessing, oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin concentrations were obtained for each task (production, comprehension), condition (semantic, phonological) and region (DLPFC, IFG). The results of pairwise t-tests adjusted for multiple comparisons showed significant increases in oxygenated hemoglobin concentration over baseline in the bilateral DLPFC during picture naming for phonologically related words. For picture–word matching, we found significant increases in oxygenated hemoglobin concentration over baseline in the right DLPFC for semantically related words and in the right IFG for phonologically related words. We discuss the results in light of the inhibitory attentional control over competitive lexical access theory in contrast to alternative potential explanations for the findings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neural Basis of Executive Control)

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14 pages, 2783 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Alpha and Theta Oscillations Are Causally Linked to Interference Inhibition: Evidence from High-Definition Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation

by Yan Zhu, Di Wu, Kewei Sun, Xianglong Chen, Yifan Wang, Yang He and Wei Xiao

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(7), 1026; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13071026 - 04 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1328

Abstract

(1) Background: The Go/NoGo task and color-word Stroop task were used to investigate the effect of applying different frequency bands of neural oscillations to the lDLPFC on inhibitory control modulation. (2) Methods: Participants were randomly categorized into four groups and received HD-tACS at [...] Read more.

(1) Background: The Go/NoGo task and color-word Stroop task were used to investigate the effect of applying different frequency bands of neural oscillations to the lDLPFC on inhibitory control modulation. (2) Methods: Participants were randomly categorized into four groups and received HD-tACS at 6, 10, and 20 Hz or sham stimulation at 1.5 mA for 20 min. All participants performed a color-word Stroop task and Go/NoGo task before and immediately after the stimulation; closed-eye resting-state EEG signals were acquired for 3 min before and after the tasks. (3) Results: There were no significant differences in the Go/NoGo behavioral indices task across the four groups. In the color-word Stroop task, the Stroop effect of response time was significantly reduced by 6 and 10 Hz stimulations compared to sham stimulation, and the Stroop effect of accuracy was significantly reduced by 10 Hz stimulation. There were no significant differences in the frequency range-specific (delta, theta, alpha, beta, or gamma) resting EEG power before and after stimulation. (4) Conclusions: HD-tACS at 6 and 10 Hz effectively improved participants’ performance on the color-word Stroop task, demonstrating the importance of the lDLPFC in interference inhibition and supporting a causal relationship between theta and alpha oscillations in interference inhibition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neural Basis of Executive Control)

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12 pages, 2037 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Relevance of Serum Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor Level and Executive Function in Patients with White Matter Hyperintensity in Cerebral Small Vessel Disease

by Jianhua Zhao, Xiaoting Wang, Miao Yu, Shiyun Zhang, Qiong Li, Hao Liu, Jian Zhang, Ruiyan Cai, Chengbiao Lu and Shaomin Li

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(4), 616; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13040616 - 05 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1110

Abstract

(1) Objective: To investigate the relationship between serum macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) level and white matter hyperintensity (WMH) and executive function (EF) in cerebral small vascular disease (CSVD), and assess the impact and predictive value of MIF level and Fazekas scores in [...] Read more.

(1) Objective: To investigate the relationship between serum macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) level and white matter hyperintensity (WMH) and executive function (EF) in cerebral small vascular disease (CSVD), and assess the impact and predictive value of MIF level and Fazekas scores in CSVD-related cognitive impairment (CI) (CSVD-CI); (2) Methods: A total of 117 patients with WMH admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical College from January 2022 to August 2022 were enrolled. According to the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) scale, subjects were divided into a normal cognitive group and an impaired group. All subjects required serum MIF level, 3.0 T MRI, and neuropsychological evaluation to investigate the risk factors for CDVD-CI, analyze the correlation between MIF level, WMH, and EF, and to analyze the diagnostic value of MIF and WMH degree in predicting CSVD-CI; (3) Results: 1. Fazekas score and MIF level were the risk factors of CSVD-CI. 2. The Fazekas score was negatively correlated with MoCA score, positively correlated with Stroop C-Time, Stroop C-Mistake, Stroop interference effects (SIE)-Time, SIE-Mistake, and color trails test (CTT) interference effects (CIE) (B-A). 3. The MIF level was positively correlated with Fazekas score, Stroop C-Time, SIE-Time, CTT B-Time, and CIE (B-A), and negatively correlated with MoCA score. 4. Fazekas score and MIF level were significant factors for diagnosing CSVD-CI; (4) Conclusion: The Fazekas score and MIF level may be the risk factors of CSVD-CI, and they are closely correlated to CI, especially the EF, and they have diagnostic value for CSVD-CI. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neural Basis of Executive Control)

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8 pages, 672 KiB

Open AccessArticle

by Nydia Vurdah, Julie Vidal and Arnaud Viarouge

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(4), 586; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13040586 - 30 Mar 2023

Viewed by 1148

Abstract

Numerical cognition provides an opportunity to study the underlying processes of selective attention to numerical information in the face of conflicting, non-numerical, information of different magnitudes. For instance, in the numerical Stroop paradigm, participants are asked to judge pairs of Arabic digits whose [...] Read more.

Numerical cognition provides an opportunity to study the underlying processes of selective attention to numerical information in the face of conflicting, non-numerical, information of different magnitudes. For instance, in the numerical Stroop paradigm, participants are asked to judge pairs of Arabic digits whose physical size can either be congruent (e.g., 3 vs. 5) or incongruent (e.g., 3 vs. 5) with numerical value. Congruency effects when deciding which of the two digits is numerically larger are thought to reflect the inhibition of the irrelevant physical size. However, few studies have investigated the impact of the salience of the irrelevant non-numerical information on these congruency effects and their neural substrates. EEG was recorded in 32 adults during a numerical Stroop task with two levels of salience (low, high) of the irrelevant size dimension. At the behavioral level, we observed larger congruency effects in the high salience condition (i.e., when the difference in size between the two digits is larger). At the neural level, at centro-parietal electrodes, we replicated previous studies showing a main effect of congruency on event-related potential (ERP) amplitudes between 280 and 370 ms post-stimulus, as well as a main effect of salience around 200 ms post-stimulus. Crucially, congruency and salience interacted both between 230 and 250 ms (P2), and between 290 and 340 ms (P3). These results provide support for separate processes underlying the increase in congruency effect, which can be attributed to higher demands in both the inhibition of the irrelevant dimension, and the attention to the relevant numerical information. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neural Basis of Executive Control)

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15 pages, 2182 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Different Music Training Modulates Theta Brain Oscillations Associated with Executive Function

by Junce Wang, Ruijie Xu, Xiaolong Guo, Sijia Guo, Junchen Zhou, Jing Lu and Dezhong Yao

Brain Sci. 2022, 12(10), 1304; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci12101304 - 27 Sep 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2244

Abstract

Different music training involves different hand coordination levels and may have a significant influence on brain oscillation for the executive function. However, few research has focused on the plasticity of executive function and the brain oscillation modulated by different musical instrument training modules. [...] Read more.

Different music training involves different hand coordination levels and may have a significant influence on brain oscillation for the executive function. However, few research has focused on the plasticity of executive function and the brain oscillation modulated by different musical instrument training modules. In this study, we recruited 18 string musicians, 20 pianists, and 19 non-musicians to perform a bimanual key pressing task during EEG recording. Behavioral results revealed that pianists have the highest accuracy and the shortest response time, followed by string musicians and non-musicians (p < 0.05). Time-frequency analyses of EEG revealed that pianists generated significantly greater theta power than the other groups from 500 ms to 800 ms post-stimulus in mid-central, frontal brain areas, and motor control areas. Functional connectivity analyses found that the pianists showed significantly greater connectivity in the frontal-parietal area in theta band based on phase-locking value analysis, which suggests that piano training improves executive function and enhances the connectivity between prefrontal and mid-central regions. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the effects of different music training on executive function. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neural Basis of Executive Control)

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Review

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13 pages, 969 KiB

Open AccessReview

Neural Correlates of Delay Discounting in the Light of Brain Imaging and Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation: What We Know and What Is Missed

by Andrea Stefano Moro, Daniele Saccenti, Mattia Ferro, Simona Scaini, Antonio Malgaroli and Jacopo Lamanna

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(3), 403; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13030403 - 26 Feb 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1775

Abstract

In decision making, the subjective value of a reward declines with the delay to its receipt, describing a hyperbolic function. Although this phenomenon, referred to as delay discounting (DD), has been extensively characterized and reported in many animal species, still, little is known [...] Read more.

In decision making, the subjective value of a reward declines with the delay to its receipt, describing a hyperbolic function. Although this phenomenon, referred to as delay discounting (DD), has been extensively characterized and reported in many animal species, still, little is known about the neuronal processes that support it. Here, after drawing a comprehensive portrait, we consider the latest neuroimaging and lesion studies, the outcomes of which often appear contradictory among comparable experimental settings. In the second part of the manuscript, we focus on a more recent and effective route of investigation: non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS). We provide a comprehensive review of the available studies that applied transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to affect subjects’ performance in DD tasks. The aim of our survey is not only to highlight the superiority of NIBS in investigating DD, but also to suggest targets for future experimental studies, since the regions considered in these studies represent only a fraction of the possible ones. In particular, we argue that, based on the available neurophysiological evidence from lesion and brain imaging studies, a very promising and underrepresented region for future neuromodulation studies investigating DD is the orbitofrontal cortex. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neural Basis of Executive Control)

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14 pages, 476 KiB

Open AccessReview

Evaluating the Distinction between Cool and Hot Executive Function during Childhood

by Yusuke Moriguchi and Steven Phillips

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(2), 313; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13020313 - 13 Feb 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2619

Abstract

This article assesses the cool–hot executive function (EF) framework during childhood. First, conceptual analyses suggest that cool EF (cEF) is generally distinguished from hot EF (hEF). Second, both EFs can be loaded into different factors using confirmatory factor analyses. Third, the cognitive complexity [...] Read more.

This article assesses the cool–hot executive function (EF) framework during childhood. First, conceptual analyses suggest that cool EF (cEF) is generally distinguished from hot EF (hEF). Second, both EFs can be loaded into different factors using confirmatory factor analyses. Third, the cognitive complexity of EF is similar across cEF tasks, and the cognitive complexity of cEF is similar to hEF tasks. Finally, neuroimaging analysis suggests that children activate the lateral prefrontal regions during all EF tasks. Taken together, we propose that the cool–hot framework is a useful, though not definitive way of characterizing differences in EF. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neural Basis of Executive Control)

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