Neuroanatomical basis of behavioral disturbances in patients with prefrontal lesions.
The role of the frontal lobe in control of behavioral and cognitive abilities is explored in a group of 34 patients with brain lesions restricted to the prefrontal cortex. The scores in both structured behavioral questionnaires and standard neuropsychological tests were analyzed using the injured area of the frontal lobe as the independent variable. Our results show that patients with simultaneous lesions in supero- and inferomedial areas of the prefrontal cortex exhibit higher behavioral disturbances. Bilateral lesions also are associated with greater behavioral troubles. On the contrary, cognitive abilities are globally impaired in prefrontal patients. Results are discussed in relation to current models of the organization of the prefrontal cortex and its role on behavior control.
Slachevsky
Andrea
A
Programme of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, ICBM and Department of Neurological Sciences, School of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile. aslachevsky@adsl.tie.cl
Peña
Marcela
M
Pérez
Carolina
C
Bravo
Eduardo
E
Alegría
Patricia
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000293:injuries*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires