TY - JOUR
T1 - Executive Functioning Component Mechanisms and Schizophrenia
AU - Kerns, John G.
AU - Nuechterlein, Keith H.
AU - Braver, Todd S.
AU - Barch, Deanna M.
PY - 2008/7/1
Y1 - 2008/7/1
N2 - Background: Executive functioning refers to a set of processes involved in complex, goal-directed thought and behavior involving multiple brain regions (e.g., prefrontal cortex, parietal cortex, basal ganglia) and multiple neurotransmitters (e.g., dopamine, glutamate, γ-aminobutyric acid). People with schizophrenia exhibit executive functioning deficits that are associated with treatment-refractory aspects of the disorder. Although there is general consensus about what cognitive tasks involve executive functioning, there is disagreement about the specific cognitive mechanisms that comprise executive functioning. Methods: This article discusses a number of possible candidate executive functioning mechanisms and provides a summary of the consensus reached by the executive functioning discussion group at the first CNTRICS (Cognitive Neuroscience for Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia) meeting in Washington, DC. Results: The consensus was that two constructs have a well-founded basis in basic cognitive neuroscience research and seem to be impaired in schizophrenia: 1) rule generation and selection; and 2) dynamic adjustments in control (i.e., after conflict and errors). Conclusions: The consensus of the first CNTRICS meeting was that immediate translation of measures of these constructs for use in schizophrenia should be pursued. A number of other constructs (e.g., scheduling, sequencing) could also be very important for schizophrenia and are in need of more basic and more clinical research.
AB - Background: Executive functioning refers to a set of processes involved in complex, goal-directed thought and behavior involving multiple brain regions (e.g., prefrontal cortex, parietal cortex, basal ganglia) and multiple neurotransmitters (e.g., dopamine, glutamate, γ-aminobutyric acid). People with schizophrenia exhibit executive functioning deficits that are associated with treatment-refractory aspects of the disorder. Although there is general consensus about what cognitive tasks involve executive functioning, there is disagreement about the specific cognitive mechanisms that comprise executive functioning. Methods: This article discusses a number of possible candidate executive functioning mechanisms and provides a summary of the consensus reached by the executive functioning discussion group at the first CNTRICS (Cognitive Neuroscience for Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia) meeting in Washington, DC. Results: The consensus was that two constructs have a well-founded basis in basic cognitive neuroscience research and seem to be impaired in schizophrenia: 1) rule generation and selection; and 2) dynamic adjustments in control (i.e., after conflict and errors). Conclusions: The consensus of the first CNTRICS meeting was that immediate translation of measures of these constructs for use in schizophrenia should be pursued. A number of other constructs (e.g., scheduling, sequencing) could also be very important for schizophrenia and are in need of more basic and more clinical research.
KW - Cognition
KW - executive functioning
KW - performance adjustments
KW - rule selection
KW - schizophrenia
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=44649149117&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.biopsych.2008.04.027
DO - 10.1016/j.biopsych.2008.04.027
M3 - Review article
C2 - 18549874
AN - SCOPUS:44649149117
SN - 0006-3223
VL - 64
SP - 26
EP - 33
JO - Biological Psychiatry
JF - Biological Psychiatry
IS - 1
ER -