Executive Functioning

Executive functioning incorporates three relatively global processes: shifting between tasks, updating and monitoring working memory, and the inhibition of automatic responses. These cognitive processes impact most mental events involved in daily functioning in addition to having specific implications in learning and memory. Research has shown that neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis, and spina bifida commonly result in deficits in executive processes. Considering the negative effects associated with deficits in executive functioning, accurately measuring a patient's abilities is of importance not only for the patient, but the family, caregivers, and the medical system overall. This book explores current measures of executive functioning used in clinical practice as well as measures that are frequently used in experimental cognitive research.