Executive functioning component mechanisms and schizophrenia.
BACKGROUND
Executive functioning refers to a set of processes involved in complex, goal-directed thought and behavior involving multiple brain regions (e.g., prefrontal cortex, parietal cortex, basal ganglia) and multiple neurotransmitters (e.g., dopamine, glutamate, gamma-aminobutyric acid). People with schizophrenia exhibit executive functioning deficits that are associated with treatment-refractory aspects of the disorder. Although there is general consensus about what cognitive tasks involve executive functioning, there is disagreement about the specific cognitive mechanisms that comprise executive functioning.


METHODS
This article discusses a number of possible candidate executive functioning mechanisms and provides a summary of the consensus reached by the executive functioning discussion group at the first CNTRICS (Cognitive Neuroscience for Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia) meeting in Washington, DC.


RESULTS
The consensus was that two constructs have a well-founded basis in basic cognitive neuroscience research and seem to be impaired in schizophrenia: 1) rule generation and selection; and 2) dynamic adjustments in control (i.e., after conflict and errors).


CONCLUSIONS
The consensus of the first CNTRICS meeting was that immediate translation of measures of these constructs for use in schizophrenia should be pursued. A number of other constructs (e.g., scheduling, sequencing) could also be very important for schizophrenia and are in need of more basic and more clinical research.
Kerns
John G
JG
Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA. kernsj@missouri.edu
Nuechterlein
Keith H
KH
Braver
Todd S
TS
Barch
Deanna M
DM
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D035843:Biomedical Research; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D015195:Drug Design; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009714:Nucleus Accumbens / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D010296:Parietal Lobe / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D011340:Problem Solving / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents