Executive function: A secret pathway to enter the future of adolescent brain cognitive development (ABCD)

Objectives In this systematic literature review, we aim to investigate the research designs of studies on adolescent brain executive function (EF) over the past decade to deduce a potential approach for future studies. Methods We performed literature searches on PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar including studies that investigate adolescent brain development, specifically empirical studies between the years of 2012 and 2022 on adolescent EF using neuroimaging techniques. We then set up inclusion and exclusion criteria and performed study selection, data extraction, and data analysis. Results Our findings illustrated that while there was a remarkable rise in adolescent EF studies over the past decade, there were few interventional studies that aimed at advancing the neural developmental opportunities of the adolescent years. Conclusion These findings suggest that in order to define best practices for advancing adolescent EF, developmental cognitive neuroscience and the field of education need to form a stronger partnership to design more creative and appropriate interventions. Keywords adolescence, executive function, developmental cognitive neuroscience, education, partnership, neuroimaging