Executive deficits are related to the inferior frontal junction in early dementia

摘要: Executive functions describe a wide variety of higher order cognitive processes that allow the flexible modification thought and behaviour in response to changing or environmental contexts. Their impairment is common neurodegenerative disorders. deficits negatively affect everyday activities hamper ability cope with other deficits, such as memory Alzheimer's disease behavioural disorders frontotemporal lobar degeneration. Our study aimed characterize neural correlates executive by relating respective regional hypometabolism early dementia. were assessed two classical tests, Stroop semantic fluency test various subtests assessment dysexecutive syndrome battery capturing essential aspects abilities relevant daily living. Impairments correlated reductions brain glucose utilization measured [(18)F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography analysed voxelwise using statistical parametric mapping 54 subjects dementia, mainly degeneration, its prodromal stages: subjective mild impairment. Although analysis revealed task-specific frontoparietal networks, it consistently showed one region left lateral prefrontal cortex-the inferior frontal junction area-was related performance neuropsychological tests. This has recently been three component control-working memory, task switching inhibitory control. Group comparisons additionally this area underlines importance for control general