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Cited by 1,981Neural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesHistorical and Modern Theater StudiesCognitive Functions and Memory

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 236 of the 251 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Executive Function and the Frontal Lobes: A Meta-Analytic Review

Alvarez, Julie A., Emory, Eugene·2006·Neuropsychology Review
DOI 10.1007/s11065-006-9002-x
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Abstract

Currently, there is debate among scholars regarding how to operationalize and measure executive functions. These functions generally are referred to as "supervisory" cognitive processes because they involve higher level organization and execution of complex thoughts and behavior. Although conceptualizations vary regarding what mental processes actually constitute the "executive function" construct, there has been a historical linkage of these "higher-level" processes with the frontal lobes. In fact, many investigators have used the term "frontal functions" synonymously with "executive functions" despite evidence that contradicts this synonymous usage. The current review provides a critical analysis of lesion and neuroimaging studies using three popular executive function measures (Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Phonemic Verbal Fluency, and Stroop Color Word Interference Test) in order to examine the validity of the executive function construct in terms of its relation to activation and damage to the frontal lobes. Empirical lesion data are examined via meta-analysis procedures along with formula derivatives. Results reveal mixed evidence that does not support a one-to-one relationship between executive functions and frontal lobe activity. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications of construing the validity of these neuropsychological tests in anatomical, rather than cognitive and behavioral, terms.

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Research works printed but not linked: 4

  1. Bornstein, R. A. (1986). Contribution of various neuropsychological measures to detection of frontal lobe impairment. International Journal of Clinical Neuropsychology 8: 18–22.
  2. Holst, P., and Vilkki, J. (1988). Effect of frontomedial lesions on performance on the Stroop Test and word fluency tasks. J. Clin. Exp. Neuropsyc. 10: 79–80.
  3. Lyon, G. R., and Krasnegor, N. A. (Eds.). (1996). Attention, memory, and executive function. Baltimore, MD, US: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.
  4. Ramier, A. M., and Hécaen, H. (1970). Rôle respectif des atteintes frontales et de la latéralisation lésionnelle dans les déficits de la “fluence verbale.” Revue Neurologique 123: 17–22.

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Metadata

Authors
Alvarez, J. A., & Emory, E.
Affiliations
Emory University (US)
Venue
Neuropsychology Review
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2006-03
Volume
16
Issue
1
Pages
17-42
ISSN
  • 1040-7308 (ISSN-L)
  • 1573-6660
DOI
10.1007/s11065-006-9002-x
OpenAlex
W2169683381
Semantic Scholar
8306fef0decc5fe9991707e19f1930c4f95b1b84
Cited by
1,981
References
251
Citations by year
2026: 43 · 2025: 76 · 2024: 73 · 2023: 107 · 2022: 98 · 2021: 132 · 2020: 171 · 2019: 129 · 2018: 151 · 2017: 154 · 2016: 145 · 2015: 155 · 2014: 133 · 2013: 108 · 2012: 97
FWCI
18.30
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations
  • Neuropsychology Review (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (5r01mh064732-04)
  • National Institute of Mental Health (R01 MH 64732)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Historical and Modern Theater Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Functions and Memory
Keywords
executive function, frontal lobe, frontal lobe damage, frontal lobe activation, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, phonemic fluency, neuropsychological test validity, construct validity, lesion studies, neuroimaging
MeSH terms
Adult, Age Factors, Aged, Frontal Lobe, Humans, Middle Aged, Neuropsychological Tests, Problem Solving, Retrospective Studies, Verbal Behavior, Meta-Analysis as Topic, Reproducibility of Results

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