The relationship between executive functioning and verbal and visual learning and memory.
Executive functions, which include an individual's ability to develop a response set, inhibit behaviors, plan, and reason, likely impact other areas of cognitive functioning, such as learning and memory. The present study examined the relationship between executive functioning and a wide array of standardized, clinical verbal and visual learning and memory measures in 212 patients referred for a neuropsychological evaluation. IQ was also included in the analyses. Results of the canonical correlation analyses indicated that the two cognitive domains shared 55-60% of variance, and two canonical variates were present. Although causality cannot be inferred, a clear and robust relationship between executive functioning and memory is evident, and clinicians should consider this overlap when interpreting poor performance among these two domains.
Duff
Kevin
K
Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA. kevin.duff@uiowa.edu
Schoenberg
Mike R
MR
Scott
James G
JG
Adams
Russell L
RL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001288:Attention; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D004193:Discrimination Learning; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010153:Paired-Associate Learning; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual; D011340:Problem Solving; D011594:Psychometrics; D013067:Speech Perception; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D014706:Verbal Learning