Executive Functions in Neuropsychological Practice

When it comes to neuropsychological evaluation, much time and effort is

usually devoted (among others) to memory, language or attention

impairments. While all of above, without the slightest doubt, are crucial in

our everyday life; these would not function without executive functions

(EF) and vice versa.

There is a general agreement EF is an umbrella term for a

complex cognitive processes that serve ongoing, goal-directed

behaviours. Most of the definitions of EF include many, but not all, of the

following elements: goal setting and planning, organization of behaviours

over time, flexibility, attention and memory systems guiding the

processes, self regulatory processes such as self monitoring.

Another issue regarding EF is the fact frontal lobes are often

considered as an anatomical substrate of EF. As E. Goldberg characterizes

them in one of his books: (The new executive brain, Oxford Press, 2009)

frontal lobes are to the brain what a conductor to the orchestra, a general

is to an army; the chief executive officer is to a corporation. Is it really the

case, we will discuss during the classes.

This course is a chance not only to get to know how executive functions

can be assessed by the neuropsychologist in pathology and later

rehabilitated but also how do they work in norm and what can be done to

improve their sufficiency in everyday life as well as how to help them

develop well during the childhood.

Bibliography. Selected titles:

1

st topic:

− Champion, A. J. (2006). Executive function. In Neuropsychological

rehabilitation. John Wiley & Sons. (p.97-122)

− Goldberg, E. (2009). The new executive brain. Frontal lobes in a

complex world. Oxford University Press.

2nd topic:

− Stevens, L. T. (2014). The assessment of the executive functioning

using the Delis Kaplan Executive Functions System (D-KEFS). In:

Goldstein, S., Naglieri, J. (ed.). Handbook of Executive Functioning.

Springer. (p. 209-222).

− Lezak, M., Howieson, D. B., Loring, D. W. (2004). Executive

functions and motor performance. In: Neuropsychological

assessment. Oxford University Press. (p. 611-646).

− McCloskey, G., Perkins, L. A. (2013). Essentials of Executive

Functions Assessment. John Willey & Sons; Inc. (Chapters 3, 5,6).

− Alderman, N., Baker, D. (2009). Beyond the shopping center using

the Multiple Errands Test in the assessment and rehabilitation of

multi-tasking disorders. In: Oddy, M., Worthington; A. (ed.). The

Rehabilitation of executive Disorders. A guide to theory and

practice. Oxford University Press. (p. 97-118).

− Ready, R. E., Stierman, L., Paulsen, J. S. (2001) Ecological validity

of neuropsychological and personality measures of executive

functions. The Clinical Neuropsychologist 15, 3, 314–323.

3rd topic:

− Anderson, V. A., Enderson, P., Northam, E., Jacobs, R., Catroppa,

C. (2001). Development of executive functions through late

childhood and adolescence in an Australian sample.

Developmental Neuropsychology 20, 1, 385–406.

− Anderson, V., Jacobs, R., Anderson, P. (ed.) (2008). Executive

functions and the frontal lobes. A guide to theory and practice.

Oxford University Press. (Chapters 2,3, 15, 18,19).

− Antshel, K. M., Hier, B. O., Barkley, (2014). Executive functioning

Theory and ADHD. In: R. A. Goldstein, S., Naglieri, J. (ed.).

Handbook of Executive Functioning. Springer. (p. 107 - 120).

− Bryan, J., Luszcz, M. A. (2000). Measurement of executive

function: Considerations for detecting adult age differences.

Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology 22, 1, 40–

55.

− Geurts, H. M., de Vries, M., van den Bergh, S. F. W. M. (2014).

Executive functioning theory and autism. In: R. A. Goldstein, S.,

Naglieri, J. (ed.) Handbook of Executive Functioning. Springer. (p.

121-142).

− Joanna, N., Wilkinson, D., Stammers, S. and Low, J. L (2001): The

role of tests of frontal executive function in the detection of mild

dementia. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 16, 18–26.

− Melzer, L. (ed.). (2007). Executive functions in education. From

theory to practice. The Guilford Press. New York. London.

(Chapters 8-12).

− Wecker, N., S., Kramer, J., Wisniewski, A., Delis, D., C., Kaplan, E.

(2000). Age effects on executive ability. Neuropsychology 14, 3,

409–414.

4

th topic:

− Anderson, V., Jacobs, R., Anderson, P. (ed.) (2008). Executive

functions and the frontal lobes. A guide to theory and practice.

Oxford University Press. (Chapters 8, 14, 17, 20).

− Morgan, A. B., Lilienfeld, S. O. (2000): A meta-analytic review of

the relation between antisocial behavior and neuropsychological

measures of executive function. Clinical Psychology Review, 20, 1,

113–136.

− Oddy, M., Worthington; A. (ed.) (2009). The Rehabilitation of

executive Disorders. A guide to theory and practice. Oxford

University Press. (Chapters 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 11, 18).

Some additional texts are going to be provided directly by the instructor

during the classes.