[Emergence and brain development of executive functions]

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Executive functions (EF) development is linked to frontal lobe maturation, involving myelination and synaptic pruning.
• Previous studies using complex tests suggested EF emerge around age 6, limiting observation of differential development.
• Complex tests require multiple cognitive functions, hindering the assessment of early EF components.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the early emergence and development of executive functions (EF) using simpler cognitive tasks.
• To differentiate the developmental trajectories of various EF components.
• To re-evaluate the timeline of frontal lobe functional maturation.

Main Methods:

• Utilized simpler cognitive tasks focusing on core functions like information maintenance and inhibition.
• Assessed EF development in infants and young children.
• Compared results from simple tasks with findings from traditional complex neuropsychological tests.

Main Results:

• Early signs of EF were observed as early as 12 months of age.
• Significant advancements in EF were noted between 3 and 5 years of age.
• The findings indicate a much earlier onset of EF development than previously established.

Conclusions:

• Executive functions appear to develop much earlier than age 6, with foundational elements present from infancy.
• The frontal lobe is functionally active much earlier than adolescence, contrary to prior assumptions.
• Simpler cognitive tasks are crucial for understanding the nuanced, differential development of early executive functions.