Memória de trabalho e função executiva – uma proposta de diálogo entre dois modelos teóricos

Abstract

The classification of the executive function, which corresponds to a system manager that has the attribute organize a sequence of actions to achieve a goals, has been widely studied by two respected authors, namely, Joaquim Fuster and Alan Baddeley. The objective of this theoretical work is to propose a merger between the ideas of through interactive and overlapping neural networks (learning), distributed in association cortices (especially the prefrontal cortex) that fuel the perception-action and thus constitute the basic units of processing executive. The activities of ordering occurs through the integration of external stimuli (sensory) and internal stimuli (memories), making possible the temporal integration of actions to accomplish goals. Fuster divides the executive function of temporal integration of the prefrontal cortex into three sub-cognitive functions: setting preparatory, inhibitory control and working memory (WM) which consists of a central executive, a phonological loop, a visuospatial sketch and an episodic buffer. Attention being a prerequisite for the temporary storage of information, Baddeley proposed that WM depends on a supervisory attentional system, the executive central. However, it is possible that the central executive function is analogous to the inhibitory control proposed by Fuster, be characterized as a memory element, since it does not store any kind of information. Therefore, we propose a new classification of executive function which includes models Fuster and Baddeley. Thus, the executive function (characterized by the function of integration time), would be subdivided into inhibitory control, set preparatory and working memory. And the working memory (which includes the executive function) would be made by phonological loop, visuospatial sketch and the episodic buffer.