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The CWIT Inhibition/Switching task had the largest effect size and was the strongest predictor of subsequent DRS decline. Studies investigating executive function in individuals at risk for dementia (e.g., those with MCI) have also implicated executive function deficits in similar components such as response inhibition, divided attention, and inhibitory control ( Brandt et al., 2009; Traykov et al., 2007). Additionally, impairments in divided and sustained attention, as well as inhibition of irrelevant information on the Stroop test have been observed in mild AD ( Stokholm, Vogel, Gade, & Waldemar, 2006). The current study’s findings suggest that cognitive switching necessary for alternating between producing an automatic response (e.g., reading words) and inhibiting this automatic response to deliver a controlled response (e.g., naming colors) may be particularly sensitive to subsequent global cognitive decline in a sample of relatively healthy older adults. McDonald, C. R., Delis, D. C., Norman, M. A., Tecoma, E. S., & Iragui-Madozi, V. J. (2005a). Is impairment in set-shifting specific to frontal lobe dysfunction? Evidence from patients with frontal lobe or temporal-lobe epilepsy. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 11(4), 477–481. Kleinhans, N. M., Akshoomoff, N. A., & Courchesne, E. (2003). Executive functioning in autism and Asperger’s syndrome: Results from the D-KEFS. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 9, 273.Jernigan TL, Ostergaard AL, Fennema-Notestine C. Mesial temporal, diencephalic, and striatal contributions to deficits in single word reading, word priming, and recognition memory. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society. 2001; 7:63–78. [ PubMed] [ Google Scholar] Sinai M, Phillips NA, Chertkow H, Kabani NJ. Task switching performance reveals heterogeneity amongst patients with mild cognitive impairment. Neuropsychology. 2010; 24(6):757–774. [ PubMed] [ Google Scholar]

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