Stuss and Benson [ 52] proposed that executive function could include the following processes: anticipation, goal establishment, planning, response trials, monitoring of results and use of feedback.
Some have argued that they are independent (Gregory et al., 2002; Lough et al., 2006; Torralva et al., 2007), while others have proposed that executive function is necessary to understand theory of mind tests (Channon and Crawford, 2000; Aboulafia-Brakha et al., 2011).
The need for cognitive functions has been proposed via the executive function hypothesis in musicians (Hannon & Trainor, 2007) and the inhibitory control model in bilinguals (Bialystok, 2009), which later gave way to a more general global cognitive model (Bialystok, 2011).
BA9 was selected due to its proposed role in executive function and cognition, decline of which is a cardinal symptom of DLB and PDD, BA24 was selected for the early development of pathology encountered in this region in DLB and PDD whilst BA40 was selected because of its pathological predominance in AD as opposed to DLB and PDD.
Some researchers propose that deficits in executive functions, such as cognitive flexibility, may account for the social-cognitive impairments associated with ASDs (Ozonoff, 1997; Schopler, Mesibov, & Kunce, 1998).
It is proposed that these two categories of executive functions, like their motor and oculomotor counterparts, are mediated by distinct cortico striato thalamo cortical circuits (Alexander et al., 1990).
Several studies directly proposed that those with developmental dyscalculia suffer from deficits in executive functions [e.g., [ 36, 37]] or in working memory [e.g., [ 13, 21, 38]].
10 Also, adding virtual reality cognitive challenges to stationary cycling has been proposed as a more efficacious mean than traditional physical exercise for improving executive functions in older adults.
The results obtained in our study are coherent with the role of prediction and preparation proposed for the cerebellum [ 117], given that after cerebellar lesion some executive functions remains, although clearly deteriorated.
Inversely, in a conceptual model of ADHD, it has been proposed that deficient inhibition could be the primary, bottom-up disturbance that impairs executive functions, such as working memory [ 20].
