Training executive functions; emotion regulatory and affective consequences

描述(申请人提供)：本研究的总体目标是调查执行功能训练对情绪调节的影响。更具体地说，本研究将考察认知控制、工作记忆和任务转移方面的训练对两种基本情绪调节策略：注意力分配和认知再评价的影响。神经解剖学模型表明，与执行功能相关的大脑区域--一组能够灵活调节行为的能力--构成了使用情绪调节策略的能力。此外，理论和基础神经科学研究表明，执行功能是可塑性的，可以通过训练来改善。综上所述，这些发现表明，有针对性的执行功能培训应该转化为情绪调节的改善。为了验证这一假设，提出了两项研究。研究一将考察执行功能训练对执行功能、情绪调节改善(目标1)和情感功能(目标2)的影响。研究1的参与者将被随机分配到训练组，完成为期30天的执行功能练习，或者被分配到没有接受执行功能培训的对照组。研究2将通过使用训练前后的功能磁共振成像评估来检验执行功能训练(目标3)的神经相关性。这项研究的长期目标是整合执行功能和情绪调节文献，并开发出对情绪调节有困难的临床人群有用的训练计划。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The overall goal of the proposed research is to investigate the effects of executive functions training on emotion regulation. More specifically, this proposal will examine the effects of training in cognitive control, working memory, and task shifting on two fundamental emotion regulatory strategies: attention deployment and cognitive reappraisal. Neuroanatomical models suggest that brain regions implicated in executive functions - a set of abilities that enable flexible behavioral regulation - underlie the ability to employ emotion regulation strategies. Furthermore, theoretical and basic neuroscience research shows that executive functions are plastic and can be improved by training. Taken together, these findings suggest that targeted executive functions training should translate into emotion regulatory improvements. To test this hypothesis, two studies are proposed. Study 1 will examine the effects of executive functions training on executive functions, emotion regulatory improvements (Aim 1) and affective functioning (Aim 2). Participants in Study 1 will be randomly assigned either to a training group and complete 30-days of executive functions exercises, or to a control group that receives no executive functions training. Study 2 will examine the neural correlates of executive functions training (Aim 3) via the use of functional magnetic resonance imagining assessments pre- and post-training. The broad, long-term objective of this research is to integrate executive functions and emotion regulation literatures and develop a training program that will be useful for clinical populations with emotion regulatory difficulties.