Biological and social influences on cognitive control processes dependent on prefrontal cortex

Abstract

Cognitive control functions (“executive functions” [EFs] such as attentional control, self-regulation, working memory, and inhibition) that depend on prefrontal cortex (PFC) are critical for success in school and in life. Many children begin school lacking needed EF skills. Disturbances in EFs occur in many mental health disorders, such as ADHD and depression. This chapter addresses modulation of EFs by biology (genes and neurochemistry) and the environment (including school programs) with implications for clinical disorders and for education. Unusual properties of the prefrontal dopamine system contribute to PFC’s vulnerability to environmental and genetic variations that have little effect elsewhere. EFs depend on a late-maturing brain region (PFC), yet they can be improved even in infants and preschoolers, without specialists or fancy equipment. Research shows that activities often squeezed out of school curricula (play, physical education, and the arts) rather than detracting from academic achievement help improve EFs and enhance academic outcomes. Such practices may also head off problems before they lead to diagnoses of EF impairments, including ADHD. Many issues are not simply education issues or health issues; they are both.

The Frontal Lobes and Executive Functioning

“…Of all of the neurotransmitters and neuromodulators, dopamine has the most extensive history in regard to research with frontal lobe functions and relationships to executive function. Diamond ( 2011 ) described the properties of the dopamine system in the prefrontal cortex as "unusual" and that the observed sensitivity to environmental and genetic variations is unique to this brain region and not observed elsewhere. Furthermore, these variations may have different expressions based on gender and also have a direct impact on neurodevelopmental disorders, such as ADHD and PKU.…”

“…Furthermore, these variations may have different expressions based on gender and also have a direct impact on neurodevelopmental disorders, such as ADHD and PKU. Dopamine neurons that project into the prefrontal cortex also have a higher fi ring rate; dopamine turnover has also been observed (Diamond, 2011 ).…”

Exploring prefrontal cortex functions in healthy humans by transcranial electrical stimulation

“…The prefrontal cortex is a compartment of the human brain involved in highly diverse processes, ranging from cognition, motivation, emotion, and complex motor activity to social interactions [1][2][3][4][5][6] . Disturbances of prefrontal functions are involved in a multitude of neuropsychiatric diseases, including depression, schizophrenia, addiction, dementia, and Parkinson´s disease [7][8][9][10][11] .…”

Une pédagogie du contrôle cognitif pour l’amélioration de l’attention à la consigne chez l’enfant de 4-5 ans

“…L'inhibition est une fonction cognitive de contrôle attentionnel, intégrée dans la composante exécutive de la mémoire de travail (Baddeley, 2012). Les fonctions exécutives sont essentielles à tout comportement adapté et sont sous la dépendance de certaines régions du cortex préfrontal (Diamond, 2011). L'idée selon laquelle l'inhibition est un processus central de l'adaptation cognitive n'est pas nouvelle (Dempster et Brainerd, 1995;MacMillan, 1996).…”