Journal Article

FZJ-2021-02020

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Comprehensive verbal fluency features predict executive function performance

Amunts, J. (Corresponding author)FZJ* ; Camilleri, J.FZJ* ; Eickhoff, S.FZJ* ; Patil, K.FZJ* ; Heim, S.FZJ* ; von Polier, G.FZJ* ; Weis, S.FZJ*

2021
Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer Nature [London]

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Please use a persistent id in citations: http://hdl.handle.net/2128/27772  doi:10.1038/s41598-021-85981-1

Abstract: Semantic verbal fluency (sVF) tasks are commonly used in clinical diagnostic batteries as well as in a research context. When performing sVF tasks to assess executive functions (EFs) the sum of correctly produced words is the main measure. Although previous research indicates potentially better insights into EF performance by the use of finer grained sVF information, this has not yet been objectively evaluated. To investigate the potential of employing a finer grained sVF feature set to predict EF performance, healthy monolingual German speaking participants (n = 230) were tested with a comprehensive EF test battery and sVF tasks, from which features including sum scores, error types, speech breaks and semantic relatedness were extracted. A machine learning method was applied to predict EF scores from sVF features in previously unseen subjects. To investigate the predictive power of the advanced sVF feature set, we compared it to the commonly used sum score analysis. Results revealed that 8 / 14 EF tests were predicted significantly using the comprehensive sVF feature set, which outperformed sum scores particularly in predicting cognitive flexibility and inhibitory processes. These findings highlight the predictive potential of a comprehensive evaluation of sVF tasks which might be used as diagnostic screening of EFs.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Strukturelle und funktionelle Organisation des Gehirns (INM-1)
2. Gehirn & Verhalten (INM-7)

Research Program(s):

1. 525 - Decoding Brain Organization and Dysfunction (POF4-525) (POF4-525)

Appears in the scientific report 2021

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