Executive function

One of the six dsm-5 cognitive domains. Planning, decision-making, mental flexibility and self-regulation — the high-level control that coordinates every other cognitive ability.

Motivation increases it.

10.1038/s41398-021-01512-6 — Dopamine (DA) D1 receptor (D1R) stimulation in prefrontal cortex (PFC) produces an 'inverted-U' dose-response, whereby either too little or too much D1R stimulation impairs spatial working memory. doi 10.1038/s41398-021-01512-6 · PMID 17277774

Alertness chemical increases it.

10.1002/brb3.2130 — Both findings suggest that an imbalance between tonic and phasic LC activity impairs attentional focus and cognitive flexibility. doi 10.1002/brb3.2130 · PMC12409474

Sleep increases it.

10.5114/biolsport.2020.89936 — On a macroscopic level, sleep deprivation mainly affects executive functions, especially in novel tasks. doi 10.5114/biolsport.2020.89936 · PMC2778638

Lowers cortisol reduces it.

10.1155/2015/173653 — In young adults, we present data obtained in our laboratory showing that cognitive processing sustained by the frontal lobes is also sensitive to acute increases of glucocorticoids. doi 10.1155/2015/173653 · PMID 15511597

Brain inflammation reduces it.

the impact of sleep deprivation on microglia may be a key factor in cognitive impairment. PMC12868487

Working memory increases it.

The DSM-5 Neurocognitive Work Group agreed on six principal domains of cognitive function, each with subdomains. Executive function comprises planning, decision making, working memory, responding to feedback, inhibition and cognitive flexibility. Taxonomic edge, not a causal mechanism: this is a DSM-5 domain/subdomain relationship, not a pathway acting on another. Sachdev 2014, Nat Rev Neurol 10:634-642 — Classifying neurocognitive disorders: the DSM-5 approach. doi 10.1038/nrneurol.2014.181

Impulse control increases it.

The DSM-5 Neurocognitive Work Group agreed on six principal domains of cognitive function, each with subdomains. Executive function comprises planning, decision making, working memory, responding to feedback, inhibition and cognitive flexibility. Taxonomic edge, not a causal mechanism: this is a DSM-5 domain/subdomain relationship, not a pathway acting on another. Sachdev 2014, Nat Rev Neurol 10:634-642 — Classifying neurocognitive disorders: the DSM-5 approach. doi 10.1038/nrneurol.2014.181

Mental flexibility increases it.

38816884 — The DSM-5 Neurocognitive Work Group agreed on six principal domains of cognitive function, each with subdomains. Executive function comprises planning, decision making, working memory, responding to feedback, inhibition and cognitive flexibility. Taxonomic edge, not a causal mechanism: this is a DSM-5 domain/subdomain relationship, not a pathway acting on another. Sachdev 2014, Nat Rev Neurol 10:634-642 — Classifying neurocognitive disorders: the DSM-5 approach. doi 10.1038/nrneurol.2014.181

Planning increases it.

The DSM-5 Neurocognitive Work Group agreed on six principal domains of cognitive function, each with subdomains. Executive function comprises planning, decision making, working memory, responding to feedback, inhibition and cognitive flexibility. Taxonomic edge, not a causal mechanism: this is a DSM-5 domain/subdomain relationship, not a pathway acting on another. Sachdev 2014, Nat Rev Neurol 10:634-642 — Classifying neurocognitive disorders: the DSM-5 approach. doi 10.1038/nrneurol.2014.181

Decision making increases it.

The DSM-5 Neurocognitive Work Group agreed on six principal domains of cognitive function, each with subdomains. Executive function comprises planning, decision making, working memory, responding to feedback, inhibition and cognitive flexibility. Taxonomic edge, not a causal mechanism: this is a DSM-5 domain/subdomain relationship, not a pathway acting on another. Sachdev 2014, Nat Rev Neurol 10:634-642 — Classifying neurocognitive disorders: the DSM-5 approach. doi 10.1038/nrneurol.2014.181

Learning from feedback increases it.

The DSM-5 Neurocognitive Work Group agreed on six principal domains of cognitive function, each with subdomains. Executive function comprises planning, decision making, working memory, responding to feedback, inhibition and cognitive flexibility. Taxonomic edge, not a causal mechanism: this is a DSM-5 domain/subdomain relationship, not a pathway acting on another. Sachdev 2014, Nat Rev Neurol 10:634-642 — Classifying neurocognitive disorders: the DSM-5 approach. doi 10.1038/nrneurol.2014.181

Mental effort reduces it.

Verbatim: 'the reverse-Stroop interference was not affected in pCL_Rest (P = 0.46), it was larger (i.e., declined EF) in pCL_EX than EX condition (P 0.05). These observations provide evidence that the effort of pCL impairs RT and EF even during exercise' (10.1038/s41598-022-26788-6, PMC9794810). Scope (human experiment): 21 healthy males only; EF measured as reverse-Stroop interference and reaction time; the significant effect appeared during exercise and was null at rest (P=0.46). doi 10.1038/s41598-022-26788-6 · PMC9794810

Memory chemical increases it.

19793402 — Cholinergic denervation patterns were associated with attention, executive, and visuospatial functioning, but not memory. PMC11755113

It increases Memory & focus.

10.3389/fneur.2018.00862 — The DSM-5 Neurocognitive Work Group agreed on six principal domains of cognitive function — complex attention, executive function, learning and memory, language, perceptual-motor and social cognition. Taxonomic edge, not a causal mechanism: this is a DSM-5 domain/subdomain relationship, not a pathway acting on another. Sachdev 2014, Nat Rev Neurol 10:634-642 — Classifying neurocognitive disorders: the DSM-5 approach. doi 10.3389/fneur.2018.00862

It increases Living independently.

A multiple stepwise regression analysis indicated that executive function tests accounted for 54% of the variance in functional status ... These executive function measures contributed significantly to the…. PMID 12221656

Autonomous (Executive Command) →

Nebula (Warrior Mode Rocket Fuel) →