Brain Mechanisms of Hot and Cold Executive Function in Healthy and Clinical Populations

Dear Colleagues,

Executive function (EF) is the collection of cognitive processes that are required for goal-oriented behavior. Over the last several decades, EF has been theoretically divided into two complementary domains: cold EF, which includes logical, decontextualized reasoning, and hot EF, which includes affective and motivational processing. This division has advanced our understanding of EF processes in both healthy and clinical populations, such as individuals with ADHD, OCD, schizophrenia, mood disorders, or conditions with frontal lobe damage. Despite progress in identifying the brain circuits engaged, many questions remain regarding how these systems develop, interact, and guide adaptive or dysfunctional behavior.

The goal of this Special Issue is to publish research on the neural underpinnings, development, and functional consequences of hot and cold EF across different populations. We particularly welcome submissions using multimodal methods (e.g., EEG, fMRI, TMS/tES, lesion mapping, amok others), transdiagnostic perspectives, or studies of emotion–cognition interactions. Submission types include original research, reviews, meta-analyses, and theoretical or methodological papers within cognitive neuroscience and relevant clinical fields.

Dr. Sandra Carvalho
Guest Editor

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