مقايسه كاركردهاي اجرايي شناختي مغز در نابينايان و همتايان بينا

Comparing executive cognitive functions of brain in blind and matched sighted

Aims: More than half of brain is involved in visual processing in sighted people. Blinds have different information processing method compared to sighted people. The purpose of present study was to compare executive cognitive functions of blind veterans and matched sighted people through behavioral test. Methods: This cross-sectional comparative case-control study was performed on 93 blinds and 116 age and education matched sighted people in year 2008 in Mashhad. Executive functions were evaluated by Dysexecutive (DEX) questionnaire. Data were analyzed using inferential statistical tests including independent t- test, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and U Mann-Whitney test by SPSS 17 software. Results: Results didnʹt show significant difference between two groups in executive memory, awareness and restlessness subscales. Findings showed significant difference between two groups in inhibition and intentionality subscales and total scores. Significantly higher importance and necessity in all dimensions of executive cognitive functions was observed for sighted samples compared to the blind. Conclusion: Blind individuals not only have no dysfunction in executive function compared to sighted people, but also have better performance in inhibition and intentionality subscales. This is related to paucity of basic information needed for executive cognitive functions. Keywords: Blind, Executive Cognitive Functions, Dysexecutive Questionnaire (DEX)