Abstract
Executive functions refer to a constellation of higher-level cognitive abilities that enable goal-oriented behavior. The NIH EXAMINER battery was designed to assess executive functions comprehensively and efficiently. Performance can be summarized by a single score, the Executive Composite, which combines measures of inhibition, set-shifting, fluency, and working memory. We evaluated the ecological validity of the Executive Composite in a sample of 225 mixed neurological patients and controls using the Frontal Systems Behavior Scale (FrSBe), an informant-based measure of real-world executive behavior. In addition, we investigated the neuroanatomical correlates of the Executive Composite using voxel-based morphometry in a sample of 37 participants diagnosed with dementia, mild cognitive impairment, or as neurologically healthy. The Executive Composite accounted for 28% of the variance in Frontal Systems Behavior Scale scores beyond age. Even after including two widely used executive function tests (Trails B and Stroop) as covariates, the Executive Composite remained a significant predictor of real-world behavior. Anatomically, poorer scores on the Executive Composite were associated with smaller right and left dorsolateral prefrontal volumes, brain regions critical for good executive control. Taken together, these results suggest that the Executive Composite measures important aspects of executive function not captured by standard measures and reflects the integrity of frontal systems. (JINS, 2013, 19, 1-9)
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 20-28 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society |
| Volume | 20 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 2014 |
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Keywords
- Executive function
- Magnetic resonance imaging
- Neurodegenerative disorders
- Neurological disorders
- Prefrontal cortex
- Validity of results
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Neurology
- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Clinical Psychology
- Neuroscience(all)
- Language and Linguistics
- Linguistics and Language
Cite this
Ecological validity and neuroanatomical correlates of the NIH EXAMINER executive composite score. / Possin, Katherine L.; LaMarre, Amanda K.; Wood, Kristie A.; Mungas, Dan M; Kramer, Joel H.
In: Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, Vol. 20, No. 1, 01.2014, p. 20-28.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Ecological validity and neuroanatomical correlates of the NIH EXAMINER executive composite score
AU - Possin, Katherine L.
AU - LaMarre, Amanda K.
AU - Wood, Kristie A.
AU - Mungas, Dan M
AU - Kramer, Joel H.
PY - 2014/1
Y1 - 2014/1
N2 - Executive functions refer to a constellation of higher-level cognitive abilities that enable goal-oriented behavior. The NIH EXAMINER battery was designed to assess executive functions comprehensively and efficiently. Performance can be summarized by a single score, the Executive Composite, which combines measures of inhibition, set-shifting, fluency, and working memory. We evaluated the ecological validity of the Executive Composite in a sample of 225 mixed neurological patients and controls using the Frontal Systems Behavior Scale (FrSBe), an informant-based measure of real-world executive behavior. In addition, we investigated the neuroanatomical correlates of the Executive Composite using voxel-based morphometry in a sample of 37 participants diagnosed with dementia, mild cognitive impairment, or as neurologically healthy. The Executive Composite accounted for 28% of the variance in Frontal Systems Behavior Scale scores beyond age. Even after including two widely used executive function tests (Trails B and Stroop) as covariates, the Executive Composite remained a significant predictor of real-world behavior. Anatomically, poorer scores on the Executive Composite were associated with smaller right and left dorsolateral prefrontal volumes, brain regions critical for good executive control. Taken together, these results suggest that the Executive Composite measures important aspects of executive function not captured by standard measures and reflects the integrity of frontal systems. (JINS, 2013, 19, 1-9)
AB - Executive functions refer to a constellation of higher-level cognitive abilities that enable goal-oriented behavior. The NIH EXAMINER battery was designed to assess executive functions comprehensively and efficiently. Performance can be summarized by a single score, the Executive Composite, which combines measures of inhibition, set-shifting, fluency, and working memory. We evaluated the ecological validity of the Executive Composite in a sample of 225 mixed neurological patients and controls using the Frontal Systems Behavior Scale (FrSBe), an informant-based measure of real-world executive behavior. In addition, we investigated the neuroanatomical correlates of the Executive Composite using voxel-based morphometry in a sample of 37 participants diagnosed with dementia, mild cognitive impairment, or as neurologically healthy. The Executive Composite accounted for 28% of the variance in Frontal Systems Behavior Scale scores beyond age. Even after including two widely used executive function tests (Trails B and Stroop) as covariates, the Executive Composite remained a significant predictor of real-world behavior. Anatomically, poorer scores on the Executive Composite were associated with smaller right and left dorsolateral prefrontal volumes, brain regions critical for good executive control. Taken together, these results suggest that the Executive Composite measures important aspects of executive function not captured by standard measures and reflects the integrity of frontal systems. (JINS, 2013, 19, 1-9)
KW - Executive function
KW - Magnetic resonance imaging
KW - Neurodegenerative disorders
KW - Neurological disorders
KW - Prefrontal cortex
KW - Validity of results
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84891077749&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84891077749&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1017/S1355617713000611
DO - 10.1017/S1355617713000611
M3 - Article
C2 - 23764015
AN - SCOPUS:84891077749
VL - 20
SP - 20
EP - 28
JO - Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society
JF - Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society
SN - 1355-6177
IS - 1
ER -