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Executive Function Shielding

Meaning

Executive Function Shielding is a functional concept describing the biological and behavioral strategies employed to protect the cognitive processes managed by the prefrontal cortex from the detrimental effects of acute and chronic stressors, metabolic fluctuations, and neurotoxic exposures. This protection ensures the preservation of high-level cognitive skills, including working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility, which are critical for complex problem-solving. Effective shielding maintains the structural and functional integrity of the neural circuits responsible for decision-making and planning.