高级认知过程是指涉及工作记忆/更新、转换和抑制等能力的高级认知过程。广泛分布的认知网络之间的互动以及有支持的白质束使得这些复杂的认知功能得以实现。执行功能障碍在影响白质的神经疾病中较为常见，然而，特定的白质束对正常执行功能的重要性尚不清楚。我们回顾了使用胶质瘤醒觉手术期间进行直接电刺激、基于体素和基于束的损伤症状定位图和弥散张量成像的研究中，有关白质束完整性与健康和受损成年人执行功能之间的关联的因果和相关证据。冠状脑盘一致与所有执行过程相关，尤其是其前段。因果和相关证据均显示了优势纵向束对执行功能的显著支持，特别是对工作记忆的支持。更具体地，强有力的证据表明，优势纵向束的第二分支对所有执行功能至关重要，尤其是对灵活性的重要性。全局结果显示，语言任务偏向左侧化，而具有视觉需求的执行任务偏向右侧化。前额反斜束可能支持执行功能，然而，还需要额外的证据来澄清其在执行任务中的参与程度是否超出语言控制的范畴。收敛证据表明，一组右侧化的白质束连接大脑皮质和亚皮质灰质区域，支持评估反应抑制能力的任务表现，一些研究暗示右侧前丘脑辐射在其中发挥作用。最后，相关证据表明，在执行功能中，尤其是在抑制任务中，承松束发挥作用。我们根据对这些束的功能角色的当前了解，大脑支持执行功能的网络描述以及脑肿瘤个体的临床意义来讨论这些发现。本文条款© 作者们 2023. 版权由 Oxford University Press 代表 Brain's Guarantors 保留。如需权限，请发送邮件至：journals.permissions@oup.com.

Executive functions are high-level cognitive processes involving abilities such as working memory/updating, set-shifting and inhibition. These complex cognitive functions are enabled by interactions among widely distributed cognitive networks, supported by white matter tracts. Executive impairment is frequent in neurological conditions affecting white matter; however, whether specific tracts are crucial for normal executive functions is unclear. We review causal and correlation evidence from studies that used direct electrical stimulation during awake surgery for gliomas, voxel-based and tract-based lesion-symptom mapping, and diffusion tensor imaging to explore associations between the integrity of white matter tracts and executive functions in healthy and impaired adults. The corpus callosum was consistently associated with all executive processes, notably its anterior segments. Both causal and correlation evidence showed prominent support of the superior longitudinal fasciculus to executive functions, notably to working memory. More specifically, strong evidence suggested that the second branch of the superior longitudinal fasciculus is crucial for all executive functions, especially for flexibility. Global results showed left lateralization for verbal tasks and right lateralization for executive tasks with visual demands. The frontal aslant tract potentially supports executive functions; however, additional evidence is needed to clarify whether its involvement in executive tasks goes beyond the control of language. Converging evidence indicates that a right-lateralized network of tracts connecting cortical and subcortical grey matter regions supports the performance of tasks assessing response inhibition, some suggesting a role for the right anterior thalamic radiation. Finally, correlation evidence suggests a role for the cingulum bundle in executive functions, especially in inhibition tasks. We discuss these findings in light of current knowledge about the functional role of these tracts, descriptions of the brain networks supporting executive functions and clinical implications for individuals with brain tumors.© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Guarantors of Brain. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.