Executive Functions Disorders

Introduction

Executive functions are those which regulate, control and direct human behaviour. Mental activity and human behaviour would not be possible without a system to control, organize and direct them. The executive system ensures that the different cognitive and emotional subsystems function in a coordinated way as they activate and deactivate the different functional circuits implicated in any human activity. The concept of executive function can be studied in Luria's (1966) Higher Cortical Function in Man, which was popularized in neuropsychology by Lezak (1976) and further developed by Fuster (1980) and Stuss and Benson (1986).

According to Lezak (1995: 42), executive functions are those abilities which allow an individual to function with independence, with a set goal, and with self-sufficient behaviour in a satisfactory manner. As long ...