[Executive Functions in Frontal Lob Syndrome: A Case Report]

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Neuropsychology

Background:

• The prefrontal cortex (PFC) in the frontal lobe (FL) governs executive functions (EF).
• Damage to specific PFC regions (DLPFC, OFC, ACC/MPFC) results in distinct executive dysfunctions and personality changes.
• Executive dysfunctions can also arise from damage to frontal-subcortical circuits outside the FL, leading to frontal lobe syndrome (FLS).

Observation:

• A 15-year-old male presented with behavioral issues three years post-car accident.
• Brain MRI revealed white matter hyperintensities, indicative of traumatic brain injury.
• Neuropsychological testing showed impairments in cognitive flexibility, planning, attention, and memory.

Findings:

• The patient was diagnosed with frontal lobe syndrome (FLS).
• Cognitive and behavioral symptoms were attributed to frontal-subcortical circuit dysfunction.
• These deficits occurred without an obvious frontal lobe lesion.

Implications:

• FLS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of sudden behavioral and cognitive problems after head trauma.
• This case underscores the importance of assessing frontal-subcortical circuit integrity, even without clear frontal lesions.
• Neuropsychological testing is crucial for identifying executive dysfunction in traumatic brain injury cases.