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

Money Markets, I need help for answering some questions on Money Markets

I need help for answering some questions on Money Markets

Cross numbers, how to do a cross numbers puzzle

how to do a cross numbers puzzle

Skeletal biology, i have a research topic that is skeltel biology. Please e...

i have a research topic that is skeltel biology. Please explain me i have minimum of stuff i want more stuff related to my assignment topic. Skeletal Biology: Human skeleta

Relate selected global efforts in information system, Write a 3-5 page rese...

Write a 3-5 page research paper exploring 3-5 topics regarding global efforts in the information systems industry. The paper needs to clearly identify the global topics, how it''s

Difference between kerning and rivers, Problem: (a) Explain the fundame...

Problem: (a) Explain the fundamental difference between kerning and rivers with particular reference to your work as a Graphics Designer. (b) Your friend has just started a

E-Commerce, Hey there. I was wondering if you guys can help me with my assi...

Hey there. I was wondering if you guys can help me with my assignments.

Sentence making, the problem with me is i cannot make sentences even i know...

the problem with me is i cannot make sentences even i know sufficient amount of vucabulary but still i cannot use them in a proper manner i go confuse what to do / please help

Produce a single processing sketch - body drawing, The body has extraordina...

The body has extraordinary ability to express itself. Something which we often struggle to translate into our interaction with computational systems. We are often limited to conven

Importance of information technology, Importance of Information Technology:...

Importance of Information Technology: The prime importance of information technology with regards to education is that various learning resources can be instantly accessed by

Prepare a short transcript on second counselling session, Jim called in for...

Jim called in for his second counselling. Last week, on his first appointment the counsellor told that Jim should like to control his anger. Jim was physically abusing his female p

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