[Loss of psychic self-activation and stereotyped mental activity caused by a frontal lesion. Relation of the obsessive-compulsive disorder]

A case of frontal lobe lesions is reported, its interest being that it is similar to a syndrome that we have previously described as the consequence of lenticular nucleus lesions. This syndrome includes primarily a loss of psychic self-activation (psychic akinesia) and compulsive or pseudo-compulsive activities. In the present case the lesions involved the deep white matter of the prefrontal cortex on both sides, and were most extensive in the depth of the middle frontal gyrus. This similitude brings further support to the notion that subcortical damage of the lenticular nuclei can induce a frontal-like syndrome. The similitude with some of the behavioural aspects or depressive of hebephrenic states is emphasized. The occurrence of stereotyped mental activities is the basis for a discussion of the relationships with some features of obsessive-compulsive neurosis.