Executive functions and the frontal lobes: a conceptual view |
| |
| Authors: | Donald T. Stuss Michael P. Alexander |
| |
| Affiliation: | (1) Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care, 3560 Bathurst St., Toronto, Ontario M6A 2E1, Canada e-mail: rotman@rotman-baycrest.on.ca, CA;(2) Departments of Psychology and Medicine (Neurology and Rehabilitation Science), University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada, CA;(3) Department of Neurology, Harvard University, Beth Israel Hospital, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, US |
| |
| Abstract: | Several problems in understanding executive functions and their relationships to the frontal lobes are discussed. Data are then presented from several of our studies to support the following statements: (1) the examination of patients with focal frontal lobe lesions is a necessary first step in defining the relation of executive functions to the frontal lobes; (2) there is no unitary executive function. Rather, distinct processes related to the frontal lobes can be differentiated which converge on a general concept of control functions; (3) a simple control-automatic distinction is inadequate to explain the complexity of control-automatic processes; (4) the distinction between complex and simple tasks cannot explain the differences in functions between the frontal lobes and other brain regions; and (5) the most important role of the frontal lobes may be for affective responsiveness, social and personality development, and self-awareness and unconsciousness. Received: 31 March 1999 / Accepted: 23 July 1999 |
| |
| Keywords: | |
| 本文献已被 PubMed SpringerLink 等数据库收录！ |
|
