Logue Sheree F, Gould Thomas J
Department of Psychology, Temple University, 6th Floor Main Office, Weiss Hall, 1701 North 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122-6085, United States.
Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2014 Aug;123:45-54. doi: 10.1016/j.pbb.2013.08.007. Epub 2013 Aug 24.
Executive function is a collection of cognitive processes essential for higher order mental function. Processes involved in executive function include, but are not limited to, working memory, attention, cognitive flexibility, and impulse control. These complex behaviors are largely mediated by prefrontal cortical function but are modulated by dopaminergic, noradrenergic, serotonergic, and cholinergic input. The ability of these neurotransmitter systems to modulate executive function allows for adaptation in cognitive behavior in response to changes in the environment. Because of the important role these neurotransmitter systems play in regulating executive function, changes in these systems can also have a grave impact on executive function. In addition, polymorphisms in genes associated with these neurotransmitters are associated with phenotypic differences in executive function. Understanding how these naturally occurring polymorphisms contribute to different executive function phenotypes will advance basic knowledge of cognition and potentially further understanding and treatment of mental illness that involve changes in executive function. In this review, we will examine the influence of dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, and acetylcholine on the following measures of executive function: attention, cognitive flexibility, and impulse control. We will also review the effects of polymorphisms in genes associated with these neurotransmitter systems on these measures of executive function.
执行功能是一组对高级心理功能至关重要的认知过程。执行功能所涉及的过程包括但不限于工作记忆、注意力、认知灵活性和冲动控制。这些复杂行为在很大程度上由前额叶皮质功能介导，但受多巴胺能、去甲肾上腺素能、血清素能和胆碱能输入的调节。这些神经递质系统调节执行功能的能力使得认知行为能够根据环境变化进行适应性调整。由于这些神经递质系统在调节执行功能中发挥着重要作用，这些系统的变化也可能对执行功能产生严重影响。此外，与这些神经递质相关的基因多态性与执行功能的表型差异有关。了解这些自然发生的多态性如何导致不同的执行功能表型，将推进对认知的基础知识的了解，并有可能进一步加深对涉及执行功能变化的精神疾病的理解和治疗。在这篇综述中，我们将研究多巴胺、去甲肾上腺素、血清素和乙酰胆碱对执行功能的以下测量指标的影响：注意力、认知灵活性和冲动控制。我们还将综述与这些神经递质系统相关的基因多态性对这些执行功能测量指标的影响。
