Same, Same but Different? A Multi-Method Review of the Processes Underlying Executive Control

Attention, working memory, and executive control are commonly considered distinct cognitive functions with important reciprocal interactions. Yet, longstanding evidence from lesion studies has demonstrated both overlap and dissociation in their behavioural expression and anatomical underpinnings, su...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Neuropsychology review 2024-06, Vol.34 (2), p.418-454
Main Authors: Toba, Monica N., Malkinson, Tal Seidel, Howells, Henrietta, Mackie, Melissa-Ann, Spagna, Alfredo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Attention
Attention - physiology
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Biomedicine
Brain - diagnostic imaging
Brain - physiology
Brain damage
Cognition & reasoning
Cognitive ability
Executive function
Executive Function - physiology
Humans
Life Sciences
Medical imaging
Memory
Memory, Short-Term - physiology
Neuroimaging
Neuroimaging - methods
Neurology
Neurons and Cognition
Neuropsychology
Neurosciences
Review
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Summary:Attention, working memory, and executive control are commonly considered distinct cognitive functions with important reciprocal interactions. Yet, longstanding evidence from lesion studies has demonstrated both overlap and dissociation in their behavioural expression and anatomical underpinnings, suggesting that a lower dimensional framework could be employed to further identify processes supporting goal-directed behaviour. Here, we describe the anatomical and functional correspondence between attention, working memory, and executive control by providing an overview of cognitive models, as well as recent data from lesion studies, invasive and non-invasive multimodal neuroimaging and brain stimulation. We emphasize the benefits of considering converging evidence from multiple methodologies centred on the identification of brain mechanisms supporting goal-driven behaviour. We propose that expanding on this approach should enable the construction of a comprehensive anatomo-functional framework with testable new hypotheses, and aid clinical neuroscience to intervene on impairments of executive functions.
ISSN:1040-7308
1573-6660
1573-6660
DOI:10.1007/s11065-023-09577-4