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= Inhibitory control = Inhibitory control is one of the cognitive processes that are labelled as executive functions. Inhibitory control functions as an internal management process that enables individuals to have agency in attempting to interrupt prepotent responses and other associated impulsive actions such as those arising from innate, habitual or dominant behavioural responses to external stimuli. Inhibitory control achieves this by facilitating goal directed behaviours in opposition to impulsive actions and behaviours. For example, resisting the urge to check your phone when trying to focus on important paperwork.

Neurological location
There are a few different areas of the brain that influence inhibitory control functions. The prefrontal cortex, caudate nucleus, and subthalamic nucleus are all involved in inhibitory control in addition to their other functions. The prefrontal cortex which is located in the frontal lobe is instrumental in organizing goal orientated thoughts and actions which include inhibitory control as a function. The caudate nucleus is a component part of the corpus striatum, which in turn is part of the basal ganglia. The caudate nucleus’s relationship to inhibitory control is largely its influence on aspects of decision making that require motor function. The subthalamic nucleus is also part of the basal ganglia its exact function is not known but it is suspected to play a part in aspects of inhibitory control processes.

Impairments
Impairments in inhibitory control have been identified in two key areas. These are in addiction of any form such as gambling addictions or substance use disorders. The second area that has identifiable impairments in inhibitory control is ADHD. Identifying the impairments in both areas in regard to inhibitory control are useful in providing treatment options or support to those having difficulty with either addiction or ADHD. Those with brain injuries effecting the prefrontal cortex also experience variable levels of impaired inhibitory control depending on the location and extent of the damage. In addition to these factors that can have a dramatic effect on someone’s inhibitory control a neuronormative individual can also have short term impairment to their inhibitory control caused by reduced levels of physical health or mental health. Impairments have been found to be caused by lack of sleep and by stress in neuronrormative individuals.

Age differences
Compared to adults’ children have an underdeveloped inhibitory control mechanism. Inhibitory control in children increases in efficacy as those children age. These improvements in inhibitory control are found to increase in line with the development of the prefrontal cortex as the maturation process of normal growth and brain development proceeds. The development of many areas of the brain is complete for most children at age 12. The prefrontal cortex takes longer to reach maturity so the resulting limitations on inhibitory control continue into adolescence as the prefrontal cortex continues its development.

Sex differences
Through a number of different studies, it has been identified that women on average have a marginally higher success rate for tasks involving inhibitory control than men. There are studies showing dramatic differences and studies showing none. As such the differences between the sexes in regard to executive function are still unclear on a macro level. To highlight a sample of these studies one example that highlights a substantial difference in expression of inhibitory control functions for different biological sex's. In this study the researchers attempted to identify if listening to music improved inhibitory control related performance in men and women. This study found that men performed poorly in comparison to women.

Treatment
For both neuronormative individuals and also those with ADHD therapeutic doses of methylphenidate have been shown to lead to improvements in the efficacy of inhibitory control. These effects are thought to be short term and do not remain in the absence of the drug. Another known method for improving an individual’s level of inhibitory control is that individual engaging in regular aerobic exercise. In addition to these interventions that lead to a dramatic improvement there are other factors that can have a smaller but still noticeable effect on inhibitory control function. These are largely focused on improving an individual’s general health and wellbeing by improving sleep and reducing stress as sleep deprivation, poor mental health and general stress will improve an individual’s mental health as long as the general state of physical and mental health is maintained.

Testing
The main way that inhibitory control is tested in studies looking at the efficacy of an individuals’ inhibitory control or that of many individuals variances in inhibitory control is with the stop signal task. The method for this test is a reaction time test where individuals respond (for example by pressing a button) to go signals. They must resist the urge to respond to the go signal if a stop signal is displayed. The speed of these signals and the instinctual nature of the responses of the participant generate accurate data that can be used to judge the efficacy of someone’s inhibitory control mechanisms. Another example of a test designed to identify impairments in inhibitory control is the stroop test in this test the participant is shown the names of colours that are sometimes in the correct colour for the name and sometimes are not. The participant must then name these colours. Responses that are slower than the norm or are incorrect indicate an under-performing inhibitory control mechanism. There are an number of other tests that are used to identify problems with inhibitory control. These test are broadly similar to the tests that were previously discussed with a few exceptions as they revolve around getting the participant to make an informed choice on high speed tasks. Some of these other tests include the delay of gratification task, Flanker task , antisaccade tasks and Simon task.

Relationship to other cognitive processes
Inhibitory control is not a standalone function as it is part of the executive functions of the prefrontal cortex and other functions. Studies are investigating the links between working memory, inhibitory control and processing speed. Although work has only recently begun on investigating these pathways a grater understanding of rational decision making is thought to be useful. This may lead to advancements in the treatment of those that are struggling with ADHD or substance use disorders / other forms of addiction.