There are Two Different Dysexecutive Syndromes

The idea of “executive function” has become a fundamental concept in contemporary neurosciences [1]. The observation that the frontal lobes are involved in regulatory behaviors, including planning, self-monitoring, problem solving, inhibiting responses, strategy development and implementation, and working memory, resulted in the comprehensive term “executive function.” Luria [2,3] first suggested the idea of executive function. He distinguished three functional units in the brain: (a) arousal-motivation (limbic and reticular systems); (b) receiving, processing, and storing information (postrolandic cortical areas); and (c) programming, controlling, and verifying activity (frontal lobes) [2]. Luria mentions that this third unit has an executive role. Lezak [4] introduced the term as the dimension of human behavior that deals with “how” behavior is expressed. Initially, executive functions were conceptualized as having four components: The abilities of goal formation, planning, carrying out goal-directed plans, and effective performance. Repovs and Baddeley [5] grouped these behaviors into cognitive domains that included problems in planning, organizing behaviors, disinhibition, perseveration, reduced fluency, and initiation. Baddeley coined the term “dysexecutive syndrome.”