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Executive control functions in degenerative dementias: a comparative review
1Mental Health Service Line, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New Orleans, LA, USA.
Neuropsychology Review
|August 11, 2000
Summary
Executive function (EF) impairments are common in dementias. Alzheimer's disease shows later, less severe EF deficits compared to frontal dementias, which present earlier and more severely.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Executive control is crucial for cognitive function.
- Degenerative dementias often involve executive control impairments.
- Frontal-subcortical networks are key to executive functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review literature on executive control impairments in degenerative dementias.
- To examine the neuroanatomy underlying executive function deficits.
- To contrast executive dysfunction patterns in Alzheimer's disease versus frontal dementias.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on executive control and dementia.
- Analysis of neuroanatomical correlates of executive function.
- Comparative analysis of executive function profiles in different dementia types.
Main Results:
- Executive function impairments are present in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and frontal dementias.
- AD primarily affects temporal and parietal regions, with EF deficits being less prominent and appearing later.
- Frontal and frontal-subcortical dementias show earlier and potentially more severe executive dysfunction.
Conclusions:
- Executive function deficits are a hallmark of various degenerative dementias.
- The pattern and severity of executive dysfunction differ based on the primary brain regions affected.
- Distinguishing dementia types based on executive function profiles is clinically relevant.
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