Executive Functions After Traumatic Brain Injury: From Deficit to Recovery

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and disability and therefore an important health and socioeconomic problem for our society. TBI frequently causes executive function (EF) deficits, resulting in impaired cognitive control, mental flexibility, and planning. Extensive functional neuroimaging and lesion mapping evidence indicates that the prefrontal cortex plays a central role in EFs. Given the importance of EF in daily activities, developing effective rehabilitation methods that enhance brain plasticity and EF recovery after TBI is needed. In this chapter, we summarize current knowledge and controversies, focusing on EF impairments after TBI. We conclude by considering future directions for TBI-related EF research.