Róisín McKenna|Teresa Rushe|Kate Woodcock
Informing the Structure of Executive Function in Children: A Meta-Analysis of Functional Neuroimaging Data
Queen's University Belfast|Queen's University Belfast|Queen's University Belfast
structure executive function ef focus much debate decades complexity diversity provided developmental period adds contention development executive function plays integral part expression childrens behavioral cognitive social emotional capabilities understanding processes constructed development allows effective measurement ef population metaanalysis aims contribute better understanding structure executive function children coordinatebased metaanalysis conducted using brainmap gingerale 23 incorporated studies administering functional magnetic resonance imaging fmri inhibition switching working memory updating tasks typical children aged 618 years neural activation common across executive tasks compared shared tasks pertaining inhibition switching updating commonly considered fundamental executive processes results support existence partially separable partially overlapping inhibition switching updating executive processes neural level children 6 years shared neural activation across tasks associated proposed unitary component executive function overlapped different degrees activation associated individual executive process findings provide evidence support suggestion one influential structural models executive functioning adults also applied children age however findings also call careful consideration measurement specific executive processes unitary executive function population furthermore need highlighted new systematic developmental model captures integrative nature executive function children