ASSESSMENT OF EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE MAIN NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL INSTRUMENTS USED IN BRAZIL

Abstract

This study aimed to critically analyze the main instruments used in Brazil for the neuropsychological assessment of executive functions, which are higher-order cognitive processes essential for adaptive behavior and emotional regulation. A narrative literature review was conducted, examining the Stroop Test, the Tower of London (TOL), the Five Digits Test (FDT), and the Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale (BDEFS), considering their psychometric properties, ecological validity, and clinical applicability. The study highlights that, although these instruments present evidence of validity and cultural adaptation to the Brazilian context, the interpretation of results must be carefully contextualized, since socioeconomic inequalities, chronic poverty, food insecurity, and urban violence directly affect the development of executive functions, especially in children and adolescents. From this perspective, performance patterns commonly interpreted as pathological deficits may reflect adaptive survival strategies shaped by adverse environments. It is concluded that ethical and accurate neuropsychological assessment in Brazil requires a multidimensional approach, integrating qualitative and quantitative data, as well as sensitivity to the sociocultural context surrounding the assessment process.