Inhibitory control, also known as response inhibition, is a
cognitive process – and, more specifically, an
executive function – that permits an individual to inhibit their
impulses and natural, habitual, or dominant behavioral responses to stimuli ( prepotent responses) in order to select a more appropriate behavior that is consistent with completing their goals.
is an important aspect of inhibitory control.
For example, successfully suppressing the natural behavioral response to eat cake when one is craving it while dieting requires the use of inhibitory control.
The
prefrontal cortex,
caudate nucleus, and
subthalamic nucleus
The subthalamic nucleus (STN) is a small lens-shaped nucleus in the brain where it is, from a functional point of view, part of the basal ganglia system. In terms of anatomy, it is the major part of the subthalamus. As suggested by its name, the ...
are known to regulate inhibitory control cognition.
Inhibitory control is impaired in both
addiction and
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
In healthy adults and ADHD individuals, inhibitory control improves over the short term with low (therapeutic) doses of
methylphenidate or
amphetamine
Amphetamine (contracted from alpha- methylphenethylamine) is a strong central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that is used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, and obesity. It is also commonly used ...
.
Inhibitory control may also be improved over the long-term via consistent aerobic exercise.
Tests
An inhibitory control test is a
neuropsychological test that measures an individual's ability to override their natural, habitual, or dominant behavioral response to a stimulus in order to implement more adaptive behaviors.
Some of the neuropsychological tests that measure inhibitory control include the
Stroop task
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Naming the font color of a printed word is an easier and quicker task if word meaning and font color are congruent. If two words are both printed in red, the average time to say "red" in response to the written word "green" is ...
,
go/no-go task,
Simon task,
Flanker task,
antisaccade tasks,
delay of gratification tasks, and stop-signal tasks.
See also
*
Neurobiological effects of physical exercise#Cognitive control and memory
*
Inhibition of return
References
Neuropsychological tests
Cognition
Addiction
Amphetamine
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
External links
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