A major aspect of conscious cognition, executive functioning (EF) refers to a constellation of separate but related cognitive functions that enable self-control and the deliberate self-regulation of thought, emotion, and behavior toward the purpose of achieving a goal. We routinely use EFs to navigate aspects of life and interact with the environment around us. These abilities are crucial for supporting important aspects of everyday life such as planning, navigating difficult tasks, contemplating and making decisions, coping and adapting to uncertainty, tracking finances, and holding conversations. Neuroanatomically, EF is dependent primarily on the prefrontal cortex and interactions between the prefrontal cortex and subcortical brain regions. Because the frontal or prefrontal cortex is among the last areas of the brain to mature fully in humans, there are ...