Executive Function III

Question 1

What is working memeory

Answer 1

essential aspect executive fucntions
Can hold things in mind and remember final goal and manipulate things in mind
= key component of executive control = ability to hold representations in mind in abscence of sensory input and for extended periods of time
= working memeory
Without it= would only respond to stimulus response
Typically = 5-7 items can be held

Question 2

what does working memory provide

Answer 2

Interface bewteen perception, long term memeory and action

Question 3

delayed match to sample task

Answer 3

Engages working memeory
= see stimulus then have delay = have to hold image in mind, hold and keep active during delay, then test

Question 4

describe neurons during match to sample task

Answer 4

Neurons in lateral Pfc continue to fire during delay
= suggests they are involved in holding visual image in mind
Fires when stimuli presented and then during delay and then intensify again when have to test = select correct image
Proves they are not just sensory neurons - related to ability to hold things in mind

Question 5

describe baddeley and hitch model of working memory = gen

Answer 5

Classic standard model

Question 6

describe baddeley and hitch model of working memory = name components

Answer 6

Central executive
—> Visuospatial sketch pad
—> Phonological loop

Question 7

describe baddeley and hitch model of working memory = visuospatial sketch pad

Answer 7

Hold visual images and manipulate
Involves visual regions of brain

Question 8

describe baddeley and hitch model of working memory = phonological loop

Answer 8

Other element = hold numbers in mind and rehearse numbers
Verbally - like talking to self

Question 9

describe baddeley and hitch model of working memory = central executive

Answer 9

Master - top down controller
Something that decides what goes into the loop = what am I thinking about, what’s in mind, is it important, control mental effort = how much effort in, what is loaded into loops

Question 10

describe baddeley and hitch model of working memory = compare to lateral Pfc

Answer 10

Lat Pfc = central executive, manages and controls working memeory
Phonological loop and visuospatial sketch pad = actually under control of central executive being activated selectively

Question 11

decison making

Answer 11

How does main make decisions
Decisions —>actions
Involves sodium channels opening but how??? - have sense of agency - how???

Question 12

what does human decision making involve

Answer 12

Human decision making = epically in personal and social realms involves communication between rationality and emotions/feelings
If decision making uncoupled from feelings and emotions = will make terrible decisions

Question 13

define emotion

Answer 13

Refer to actual biological change
Physiological changes = many changes in nervous system and in body

Question 14

define feelings

Answer 14

Subjective experience of these things —> like being afraid feels like something

Question 15

describe studies of patients with lesions in ventromedial Pfc

Answer 15

Suggests that this region connects visceral responses and emotions to decision making

Question 16

describe phineas gage - Vmpfc lesion

Answer 16

Pipe in head
Stayed conscious and recovered
Comparatively normal
But radial changes in personality, and lost ability to make good decision about own life - became inappropriate
Executive function = inhibits inappropriate responses in social situations and assigning value, making good decisions *compromised

Question 17

what does ventromedial Pfc include

Answer 17

Orbitofrontal cortex
Anterior cingulate cortex
And other medial prefrontal regions

Question 18

describe orbitofrontal cortex

Answer 18

Above eyes

Question 19

describe ventromedial Pfc

Answer 19

Ventral and medial
Interconnected with amygdala & hypothalamus = involved in feelings and emotions and their connections to physiological body states, HOT COGnitive processes

Question 20

other frontal lobe patients

Answer 20

Can have simailr deficits

Question 21

what is gambling test

Answer 21

Start with 2k, 4 decks
Goal = increase money
AB = high reward, high risk, will end up losing money
CD = win less and lose less = gradually accumulate more money

Question 22

Gambling test= describe graph of control

Answer 22

Initially chose and ab decks but then notices a and b are worse = so then choose c and d

Question 23

Gambling test= describe what was measured in control

Answer 23

Measured arousal, anxiety, pupil dilation, measure skin response
If reach a and b = cause increase in arousal = creates bad feeling, pshyiologucal chnages associated with riskier decks - tehse chnages occurred before subejct started changing behaviour = body telling brain don’t choose those decks
Many decisions= made rapidly and intuitively = feels wrong or right,
Complex cognition involves interaction bewteen body and brain
Emotional states = pshyiological shorthand guiding decision making

Question 24

Gambling test= describe graph of Pfc damage

Answer 24

Pick high risk decks = a and b and keep choosing = won’t change behaviour

Question 25

Gambling test= describe what was measured in Pfc damage

Answer 25

Didn’t undergo physiological changes = not getting message= no intuitive warning from body Decision making has become uncoupled from emotional states and feelings that guide decision making, related to assessing value

Question 26

what is somatic marker hypothesis = gen

Answer 26

Ability to make decisions uncoupled from ability to intuitively assess value in a sort of emotion feeling way = creates deficit in decision making

Question 27

what is somatic marker hypothesis = describe whole thing

Answer 27

Somatic markers = physiological chnages = emotions and feelings that have been connected by learning* to predicted future outcomes of certain scenarios Negative somatic marker = alarm bell Positive somatic marker= beacon of incentive *learning= some decisions don’t need learning (like touch hot stove) but circuits in frontal lobes = important for decision making that involves complex social contexts = develop understanding of how we ought to behave/act = learned Vmpfc plays role here - credit/assign value by interacting in social world

Question 28

what are ventromedial Pfc and insula interconnected with

Answer 28

Amygdala and hypothalamus = subs cortical structures involved in emotions, feelings, motivation and associated physiological states Also connected to pituitary gland (master gland, controlling emotions) And brainstem (nucleus of solitary tract, parabrachial nucleus, periaqueductal gray *interoception)