Executive function deficits, common in psychiatric disorders, hinder daily activities and may be linked to diminished neural plasticity, affecting treatment and training responsiveness. In this pioneering study, we evaluated the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of psilocybin-assisted frontal-midline theta neurofeedback (NF), a neuromodulation technique leveraging neuroplasticity, to improve executive functions (EFs). Thirty-seven eligible participants were randomized into an experimental group (n = 18) and a passive control group (n = 19). The experimental group underwent three microdose sessions and then three psilocybin-assisted NF sessions, without requiring psychological support, demonstrating the approach's feasibility. NF learning showed a statistical trend for increases in frontal-midline theta from session to session with a large effect size and non-significant but medium effect size dynamical changes within sessions. Placebo effects were consistent across groups, with no tasks-based EF improvements, but significant self-reported gains in daily EFs-working memory, shifting, monitoring and inhibition-showing medium and high effect sizes. The experimental group's significant gains in their key training goals underscored the approach's external relevance. A thorough study with regular sessions and an active control group is crucial to evaluate EFs improvement and their specificity in future. Psilocybin-enhanced NF could offer significant, lasting benefits across diagnoses, improving daily functioning. This article is part of the theme issue 'Neurofeedback: new territories and neurocognitive mechanisms of endogenous neuromodulation'.

• Keywords
• EEG neurofeedback, cognitive enhancement, executive functions, frontal-midline theta, psilocybin, psychedelics,
• MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Executive Function * drug effects   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Neurofeedback * methods   MeSH
• Psilocybin * pharmacology   MeSH
• Feasibility Studies * MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Randomized Controlled Trial MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Psilocybin * MeSH

Many individuals with chronic subjective tinnitus report significant problems in comprehending speech in adverse listening situations. A large body of studies has provided evidence to support the notion that deficits in speech-in-noise (SIN) are prevalent in the tinnitus population, while some studies have challenged these findings. Elemental auditory perception is usually only minimally or not impaired. In addition, deficits in cognitive functions, particularly executive functions, have also been observed in individuals with tinnitus. Given these previous findings, we theorize that deficient central mechanisms may be responsible for the reported speech comprehension problems in tinnitus. 25 participants suffering from chronic subjective tinnitus and 25 control participants, between 23 and 58 years of age, were examined in a cross-sectional design. The groups were case-matched for age, sex, education, and hearing loss. A large audiometric battery was used ranging from threshold and supra-threshold tasks to spoken sentence level speech tasks. Additionally, four cognitive tests were performed, primarily covering the area of executive functions. Tinnitometry and tinnitus-related questionnaires were applied to complement sample description and allow for secondary analyses. We hypothesized that tinnitus participants score lower in complex speech comprehension tasks and executive function tasks compared to healthy controls, while no group differences in elementary audiometric tasks were expected. As expected, individuals with chronic subjective tinnitus scored lower in the SIN and gated speech task, while there were no differences in the basic speech recognition threshold task and the other elementary auditory perception tasks. The cognitive tests revealed clear deficits in interference control in the Stroop task, but not in the Flanker task, in the tinnitus group. There were no differences in inhibition or working memory tasks. Our results clearly delineate differences between tinnitus individuals and control participants in two tests on speech intelligibility under adverse listening conditions. Further, the poorer performance in a task of interference control in individuals with tinnitus points towards an impaired central executive control in individuals with tinnitus. Taken together, our (partly) exploratory study provides novel evidence to the view that deficient central executive system in individuals with tinnitus probably account for impaired speech comprehension.

• Keywords
• Auditory perception, Chronic subjective tinnitus, Cognition, Executive functions, Speech-in-noise, Suprathreshold audiometry,
• MeSH
• Executive Function MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Speech Perception * physiology   MeSH
• Perceptual Masking physiology   MeSH
• Comprehension MeSH
• Cross-Sectional Studies MeSH
• Auditory Threshold MeSH
• Speech Intelligibility MeSH
• Tinnitus * MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

European policy has seen a number of changes and innovations in the field of early childhood preschool education over the last decade, which have been reflected in various forms in the policies of individual EU countries. Within the Czech preschool policy, certain innovations and approaches have been implemented in the field of early children education, such as the introduction of compulsory preschool education before entering primary school from 2017, emphasis on inclusive education, equal conditions in education and enabling state-supported diversity in the education concepts of kindergartens. The aim of our study was to assess the influence of various preschool education systems in the Czech Republic in the context of psychological variables reflecting selected children's outcomes which may contribute to future school achievement. The monitored variables were the attitudes, motivations and executive functions of children in the last year of preschool education. A comparison was made between the traditional preschool education program and the so-called alternative types of preschool education, such as Montessori, Waldorf and religious schools. The total sample was divided into four subgroups, namely a group of children attending traditional kindergartens (731, 84.9%), religious (65, 7.5%), Montessori (35, 4.1%), and Waldorf (30, 3.5%) kindergartens. To determine empirical data, the following research methods were used: Attitude Questionnaire, School Performance Motivation Scale, and Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF). The results of our survey show the fact that the type of kindergarten attended has a significant effect on the child's level of school performance motivation, attitudes toward school as well as executive functions. Significant differences were found between the different types of kindergartens attended in the monitored variables.

• Keywords
• attitudes, executive functions, kindergarten, motivation, school achievement,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) is characterized by profound and early deficits in social cognition (SC) and executive functions (EF). To date it remains unclear whether deficits of the respective cognitive domains are based on the degeneration of distinct brain regions. In 103 patients with a diagnosis of bvFTD (possible/probable/definite: N = 40/58/5) from the frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) consortium Germany cohort (age 62.5±9.4 years, gender 38 female/65 male) we applied multimodal structural imaging, i.e. voxel-based morphometry, cortical thickness (CTH) and networks of structural covariance via source based morphometry. We cross-sectionally investigated associations with performance in a modified Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET; reflective of theory of mind - ToM) and five different tests reflective of EF (i.e. Hamasch-Five-Point Test, semantic and phonemic Fluency, Trail Making Test, Stroop interference). Finally, we investigated the conjunction of RMET correlates with functional networks commonly associated with SC respectively ToM and EF as extracted meta-analytically within the Neurosynth database. RMET performance was mainly associated with gray matter volume (GMV) and CTH within temporal and insular cortical regions and less within the prefrontal cortex (PFC), whereas EF performance was mainly associated with prefrontal regions (GMV and CTH). Overlap of RMET and EF associations was primarily located within the insula, adjacent subcortical structures (i.e. putamen) and the dorsolateral PFC (dlPFC). These patterns were more pronounced after adjustment for the respective other cognitive domain. Corroborative results were obtained in analyses of structural covariance networks. Overlap of RMET with meta-analytically extracted functional networks commonly associated with SC, ToM and EF was again primarily located within the temporal and insular region and the dlPFC. In addition, on a meta-analytical level, strong associations were found for temporal cortical RMET correlates with SC and ToM in particular. These data indicate a temporo-frontal dissociation of bvFTD related disturbances of ToM and EF, with atrophy of the anterior temporal lobe being critically involved in ToM deficits. The consistent overlap within the insular cortex may be attributable to the multimodal and integrative role of this region in socioemotional and cognitive processing.

• Keywords
• Executive functions, Frontotemporal dementia, Magnetic resonance imaging, Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test, Social cognition, Theory of mind,
• MeSH
• Executive Function * physiology   MeSH
• Frontotemporal Dementia * pathology   diagnostic imaging   physiopathology   psychology   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging * MeSH
• Brain diagnostic imaging   pathology   MeSH
• Neuropsychological Tests * MeSH
• Cross-Sectional Studies MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Social Cognition MeSH
• Theory of Mind * physiology   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

A core symptom that is frequently linked with dysregulation of glutamatergic neurotransmission in regard to schizophrenia is impairment or damage of executive functioning as a component of cognitive deficiency. The amino acid D-serine plays the role of an endogenous coagonist at the glutamatergic N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor glycine modulatory site. Considerably reduced serum levels of D-serine were found in patients suffering from schizophrenia compared with healthy control participants. An increase in D-serine led to augmented cognitive functionality in patients suffering from schizophrenia who were undergoing clinical trials and given the treatment of first- and second-generation antipsychotics. The study proposed the hypothesis that the D-serine blood serum levels may be linked with the extent of executive functionality in those suffering from the mental illness in question. For the purpose of examining executive function in such patients, the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure, Trail Making, and Wisconsin Card Sorting tests were applied (n = 50). High-performance liquid chromatography was used to gauge the total serine and D-serine levels. The extent of damage was examined through neuropsychological tests and was found to be considerably linked to D-serine serum level and the D-serine/total serine ratio (p < 0.05) in the sample being considered. A lower average serum level of D-serine and lower D-serine/total serine ratio were observed in participants with the worst performance compared with those displaying the best performance-this was true when the patients were split into quartile groups based on their results (p < 0.05). The findings of modified D-serine serum levels and the D-serine/total serine ratio linked to the extent of damage in executive functioning indicate that serine metabolism that is coresponsible for NMDA receptor dysfunction has been changed.

• Keywords
• D-serine, dysregulation of glutamatergic neurotransmission, excitatory amino acids, executive functions, schizophrenia,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

The occurrence of the local generators of P3-like potentials elicited by a noise-compatibility flanker test was used to study the processing of executive functions, particularly in the frontal and temporal cortices. The test performed with arrows comprised a simpler congruent and a more difficult incongruent task. The two tasks activated the attention and several particular executive functions, i.e., working memory, time perception, initiation, and motor control of executed task. The incongruent task increased demand on executive functions, and besides the functions common for both tasks, an inhibition of automatic responses, the reversal of incorrect response tendency, the internal ordering of the correct response, and the initiation of the target-induced correct response were involved. In seven epilepsy surgery candidates (four men and three women), ranging in age from 26 to 38 years, multicontact depth electrodes were implanted in 590 cortical sites. In the two tasks, the P3-like potential sources were displayed in the mesial temporal structures, the lateral temporal neocortex, the anterior and posterior cingulate, the orbitofrontal cortex, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The P3-like potentials occurred more frequently with the incongruent than with congruent stimuli in all these areas. This more frequent occurrence of P3 sources elicited by the incongruent task appeared significant in temporal lateral neocortex and orbitofrontal cortex. The executive functions are processed in a widespread frontotemporal neurocognitive network. This study confirms the involvement of the temporal neocortex in the executive functions.

• MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Electroencephalography methods   MeSH
• Epilepsy complications   pathology   MeSH
• Executive Function physiology   MeSH
• Event-Related Potentials, P300 physiology   MeSH
• Cognition Disorders etiology   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Brain Mapping MeSH
• Statistics, Nonparametric MeSH
• Neuropsychological Tests MeSH
• Probability MeSH
• Temporal Lobe physiopathology   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

The objective of our work was to find whether the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is directly involved in cognitive activities, specifically in executive functions. Ten patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease had P3 potentials recorded by externalized deep brain electrodes that were implanted in the STN or in its immediate vicinity. Two contacts of each electrode were positioned inside the STN according to clinical effect, perioperative microrecording, and stimulation. The P3 waves were recorded following the auditory stimulus in a standard oddball paradigm. They were compared with the P3 waves elicited from a protocol modified by a dual task with an increased demand on executive functions. The P3 potentials with a steep amplitude gradient evoked by the modified protocol were detected by the contacts in 8 of the 14 available electrodes, located either inside the STN or in its immediate vicinity. The modified protocol led to an increased latency of the P3 potential in 8 of 14 electrodes. No local field potentials of the standard P3 potentials were recorded. The P3 potentials related to the increased demand on executive functions were detected by the STN contacts known to have the best effect on Parkinsonian motor signs. This could suggest that the STN takes part in the executive function processing.

• MeSH
• Antiparkinson Agents adverse effects   MeSH
• Evoked Potentials physiology   MeSH
• Deep Brain Stimulation instrumentation   MeSH
• Cognition Disorders diagnosis   physiopathology   MeSH
• Levodopa adverse effects   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Microelectrodes MeSH
• Neuropsychological Tests MeSH
• Subthalamic Nucleus physiopathology   MeSH
• Parkinson Disease drug therapy   physiopathology   MeSH
• Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced etiology   physiopathology   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Antiparkinson Agents MeSH
• Levodopa MeSH

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is characterized by severe affective as well as cognitive symptoms. Moreover, cognitive impairment in MDD can persist after the remission of affective symptoms. Theta-burst stimulation (TBS) is a promising tool to manage the affective symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD); however, its cognition-enhancing effects are sparsely investigated. Here, we aimed to examine whether the administration of bilateral TBS has pro-cognitive effects in MDD. Ten daily sessions of neuronavigated active or sham TBS were delivered bilaterally over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex to patients with MDD. The n-back task and the attention network task were administered to assess working memory and attention, respectively. Affective symptoms were measured using the 21-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. We observed moderate evidence that the depressive symptoms of patients receiving active TBS improved compared to participants in the sham stimulation. No effects of TBS on attention and working memory were detected, supported by a moderate-to-strong level of evidence. The effects of TBS on psychomotor processing speed should be further investigated. Bilateral TBS has a substantial antidepressive effect with no immediate adverse effects on executive functions.

• Keywords
• attention, major depressive disorder, theta-burst stimulation, transcranial magnetic stimulation, working memory,
• MeSH
• Affective Symptoms MeSH
• Depressive Disorder, Major * therapy   MeSH
• Executive Function MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Prefrontal Cortex MeSH
• Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation MeSH
• Treatment Outcome MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

OBJECTIVE: The study was designed to investigate the neurocognitive network in the frontal and lateral temporal cortices that is activated by the complex cognitive visuomotor tasks of letter writing. METHODS: Eight epilepsy surgery candidates with implanted intracerebral depth electrodes performed two tasks involving the writing of single letters. The first task consisted of copying letters. In the second task, the patients were requested to write any other letter. The cognitive load of the second task was increased mainly by larger involvement of the executive functions. The task-related ERD/ERS of the alpha, beta and gamma rhythms was studied. RESULTS: The alpha and beta ERD as the activational correlate of writing of single letters was found in the sensorimotor cortex, anterior cingulate, premotor, parietal cortices, SMA and the temporal pole. The alpha and beta ERD linked to the increased cognitive load was present moreover in the dorsolateral and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex and surprisingly also the temporal neocortex. Gamma ERS was detected mostly in the left motor cortex. CONCLUSIONS: Particularly the temporal neocortex was activated by the increased cognitive load. SIGNIFICANCE: The lateral temporal cortex together with frontal areas forms a cognitive network processing executive functions.

• MeSH
• Frontal Lobe anatomy & histology   physiology   MeSH
• Dominance, Cerebral physiology   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Mental Processes physiology   MeSH
• Electroencephalography MeSH
• Cognition physiology   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Brain Mapping MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Motor Skills physiology   MeSH
• Neocortex anatomy & histology   physiology   MeSH
• Nerve Net anatomy & histology   physiology   MeSH
• Neural Pathways physiology   MeSH
• Neuropsychological Tests MeSH
• Movement physiology   MeSH
• Writing MeSH
• Psychomotor Performance physiology   MeSH
• Hand innervation   physiology   MeSH
• Temporal Lobe anatomy & histology   physiology   MeSH
• Volition physiology   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

BACKGROUND: Cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease (PD) is a well-established non-motor complication that significantly affects the quality of life and well-being of both patients and care partners. To optimally detect mild cognitive impairment or dementia, extensive neuropsychological assessment is essential. A wide range of cognitive tests and clinical outcome assessments have been used in clinical settings, often without regard to their clinimetric quality. METHODS: We performed a literature review of tests assessing attention/working memory and executive domains in PD (tests on other domains are included in an accompanying review). The selected tests were evaluated for their clinimetric properties and categorized by a panel of experts as "recommended," "recommended with caveats," "suggested," or "listed" according to the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society Clinical Outcome Assessment Scientific Evaluation Committee guidelines. RESULTS: A total of 30 tests were reviewed. Eight tests were "recommended," including four tests assessing attention/working memory abilities (WAIS-IV Digit Span, Coding and Symbol Search subtests, and Trail Making Test) and four tests assessing executive abilities (WAIS-IV Similarities, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Fluency Tests, and Stroop Color-Word Test). These tests demonstrated good to excellent levels of reliability and validity, have normative datasets, and are sensitive to change. Eight other tests were "recommended with caveats", eleven were "suggested," and three were "listed." CONCLUSIONS: The recommended tests for attention/working memory and executive functioning in PD can guide PD cognitive assessment. Other tests were identified as potentially useful; however, caution is advised due to their clinimetric limitations. Further validation studies are required for these tests. © 2025 The Author(s). Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

• Keywords
• Parkinson's disease, attention‐executive functions, cognition, psychometric properties, rating test,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH