Executive functions and Alzheimer's disease: problems and prospects

The term executive functioning refers to mental activity that is involved in the planning, initiation, and regulation of behavior (Lezak, 1982, 1983). It is considered the central organizing function of the brain that results in systematic, goal-directed activity. Executive functions are called into play in non-routine situations, where automatic or reflexive behaviors are not adequate to solve the problem at hand. As described by Luria (1973), in carrying out mental activities,

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