Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 30, 2026

Highlighting and Reducing the Impact of Negative Aging Stereotypes During Older Adults' Cognitive Testing
Published on: January 24, 2020
The Frontal Lobe Score: part I: construction of a mental status of frontal systems
T M Ettlin1, U Kischka, M Beckson
1Rheinfelden Rehabilitation Centre, Switzerland. Rehaklinik-RHF@swissonline.ch
Objective:
To develop a bedside mental status examination to assess the behavioural effects of damage to the frontal lobes.
Design:
A prospective clinical comparison of patients with cerebral lesions of different locations.
Subjects:
A total of 118 subjects were examined: 27 patients with cerebral lesions confined to the frontal lobes, 25 patients with cerebral lesions without involvement of the frontal lobes, 18 patients with mixed frontal/nonfrontal lesions, and 48 normal control subjects.
Measures:
Twenty-three mental status tests, clinical examinations and rating scales that had been reported as indicative of frontal lobe function were brought together. By statistical analysis, 12 tests and a neurobehavioural rating scale were selected. These constitute the Frontal Lobe Score (FLS).
Results:
The FLS detected pure frontal lesions with a sensitivity of 77.7%. It discriminated patients with frontal lesions from normal control subjects with a specificity of 100%. Differentiation from patients with nonfrontal lesions was obtained with a specificity of 84%.
Conclusion:
The Frontal Lobe Score is a useful screening instrument for the clinical detection of effects of frontal lobe damage.
Related Concept Videos
Cerebrum: Anatomical Overview I
Association Areas of the Cortex
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
Functional Brain Systems: Limbic System
Lobes of the Cerebrum
Frontal lobe
The frontal lobes, located behind the forehead, are the command center of our brain, controlling personality, intelligence, and voluntary muscle movements.
Role of Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex in Memory
Understanding the Self

