Recent psychological and neuropsychological research suggests that executive functions--the cognitive control processes that regulate thought and action--are multifaceted and that different types of executive functions are correlated but separable. The present multivariate twin study of 3 executive functions (inhibiting dominant responses, updating working memory representations, and shifting between task sets), measured as latent variables, examined why people vary in these executive control abilities and why these abilities are correlated but separable from a behavioral genetic perspective. Results indicated that executive functions are correlated because they are influenced by a highly heritable (99%) common factor that goes beyond general intelligence or perceptual speed, and they are separable because of additional genetic influences unique to particular executive functions. This combination of general and specific genetic influences places executive functions among the most heritable psychological traits. These results highlight the potential of genetic approaches for uncovering the biological underpinnings of executive functions and suggest a need for examining multiple types of executive functions to distinguish different levels of genetic influences.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2762790 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0096-3445.137.2.201 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Deficits in facial emotion recognition and cognitive function among baby boomers.
Acta Psychol (Amst)
January 2025
Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Honam University, Gwangju 62399, Republic of Korea. Electronic address:
Facial emotion recognition (FER), a key component of social cognition, plays a critical role in social interactions. In the aging process, FER among older adults holds significant potential as a tool for diagnosing cognitive function or enhancing interpersonal relationships. However, research in this area remains limited.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPhysical activity, cathepsin B, and cognitive health.
Trends Mol Med
January 2025
Body-Brain-Mind Laboratory, School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China. Electronic address:
Regular physical activity (PA) is beneficial for cognitive health, and cathepsin B (CTSB) - a protease released by skeletal muscle during PA - acts as a potential molecular mediator of this association. PA-induced metabolic and mechanical stress appears to increase plasma/serum CTSB levels. CTSB facilitates neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity in brain regions (e.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPrinciples for embedding learning and adaptation into New Zealand health system functioning: the example of the Viable System Model.
N Z Med J
January 2025
Executive Dean, Bond Business School, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia; Harkness Senior Fellow, Commonwealth Fund of New York.
This article makes the case for taking a model-based management approach, specifically using the Viable System Model (VSM), to embed learning and adaptation into the New Zealand health system so it can function as a learning health system. We draw on a case study of a specialist clinical service where the VSM was used to guide semi-structured interviews and workshops with clinicians and managers and to guide analysis of the findings. The VSM analysis revealed a lack of clarity of organisational functioning, and of the systems, processes and integrated IT infrastructure necessary to support the fundamental requirements of a learning health system.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCould physical activity promote indicators of physical and psychological health among children and adolescents? An umbrella review of meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials.
World J Pediatr
January 2025
Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China.
Background: We performed an umbrella review to synthesize evidence on the effects of physical activity (PA) interventions on indicators of physical and psychological health among children and adolescents, including body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), depressive symptoms, and cognitive function.
Methods: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were systematically searched from inception through 31 July 2023. We included meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials exploring the effects of PA interventions on BMI, BP, depressive symptoms, or cognitive function in healthy or general children and adolescents.
Acute effects of psilocybin on attention and executive functioning in healthy volunteers: a systematic review and multilevel meta-analysis.
Psychopharmacology (Berl)
January 2025
Department of Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
Rationale: Psilocybin shows promise for treating neuropsychiatric disorders. However, insight into its acute effects on cognition is lacking. Given the significant role of executive functions in daily life and treatment efficacy, it is crucial to evaluate how psilocybin influences these cognitive domains.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!