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Utilization behavior: clinical manifestations and neurological mechanisms
S J Archibald1, C A Mateer, K A Kerns
1Psychology Department, University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
Neuropsychology Review
|January 25, 2002
Summary
This study reviews utilization behavior, a motor release phenomenon where individuals automatically use objects. It highlights its link to frontal lobe dysfunction and potential role in various clinical conditions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Neurology
Background:
- Motor release phenomena encompass behaviors like grasping, imitation, utilization behavior, and alien hand sign.
- Utilization behavior, described by Lhermitte, involves automatic object use.
- These disorders are often linked to frontal lobe and frontal-striatal system pathologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive review of utilization behavior.
- To discuss its proposed neural mechanisms and theoretical frameworks.
- To explore its potential as an underlying cause for excessive motor behaviors and its diagnostic utility.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on utilization behavior.
- Discussion of theoretical frameworks, including Goldberg's model of motor systems.
- Analysis of clinical manifestations and proposed neural underpinnings.
Main Results:
- Utilization behavior is associated with pathologies affecting the frontal lobes and frontal-striatal systems.
- Goldberg's framework suggests an imbalance between medial (voluntary) and lateral (automatic) motor systems.
- This behavior may underlie excessive motor actions in diverse clinical populations.
Conclusions:
- Utilization behavior is a significant motor release phenomenon linked to frontal system dysfunction.
- Understanding its neural basis is crucial for differential diagnosis of mesial frontal cortex and fronto-striatal conditions.
- Further research is investigating utilization behavior in psychiatric conditions and ADHD.