THE EFFECTS OF MEDICATION ON EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING

According to Goldberg (2001), the neurobiologial term ôexecutive functionsö refers to a complex set of cognitive skills associated with the frontal lobes of the brain. These skills are related in large part to problem solving abilities such as hypothesis generation; organization, planning and execution; utilizing an existing knowledge store; entertaining alternative solutions; controlling for potential sources of interference; and utilizing environmental feedback to monitor oneÆs progress toward a goal and to modify approaches when necessary. These abilities are called "executive" functions because they are believed to play some sort of supervisory role by allocating old skills to solve new dilemmas. Therefore, executive functions play an important role in allowing humans to adapt to unique or novel situations.

To provide a fuller understanding of executive functioning, Goldberg (2001) uses the metaphor of an orchestra. An orchestra is comprised of many different types of instruments, such as violins, flutes, clarinets, trumpets, and so on. Similarly, there are parts of the brain which are responsible for different skills, such as language, memory, etc. Like an orchestra, the various parts of the brain can function on their own in certain circumstances. However, in order for all of these skills to work together in an organized fashion, the brain requires the help of executive functions, which can be comp

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omnia, anxiety and agitation. Less common adverse effects include somnolence, gastrointestinal disorders such as constipation and nausea, and dry mouth. 5. Quetiapine. Similar to clozapine, this medication does not produce ,agranulocytosis. The total daily dose at initiation is 50mg on day one, 100mg on day 2 and 3, and 300mg on day 4. Following this the recommended dosage should be between 300-450mg/day. Most patients tolerate this drug well and its side effects are considered negligible with less weight gain than either clozapine or olanzapine. Some patients do report somnolence, dry mouth, dizziness, LFT and TFT changes. It should not be used with other CNS acting drugs. In an effort to examine the differences in executive functioning with typical and atypical drugs, Dittman-Balcar, Bender, Schall and Wolstein (2003) compared the treatment effects of two atypical' neuroleptics, olanzapine and clozapine, on executive function in a controlled randomized double blind clinical trial. Subjects in the study consisted of 54 patients were assessed using a time series design. Effects of the medication were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and the Clinical Global Impressions Scale for psychopathological changes
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