Lesions of the Prefrontal Cortex Essay -- Neurology Health Medical Ess

Lesions of the Prefrontal Cortex The prefrontal cortex is involved in a wide variety of functions. It is known as the area of the brain which has â€Å"executive control†, taking input from other areas of the brain and combining and applying those functions (Kalat 2004). Lesions to the prefrontal area can greatly impair overt behavior of an inflicted individual. These deficits are dependent upon the severity of the lesion and the specific region of the prefrontal cortex in which the lesion resides (ventrolateral, dorsolateral, orbitofrontal, and anterior prefrontal)(Eslinger 2003). Individuals with prefrontal lesions usually display emotional, social and moral deficits (Elinger 2003). Social learning is impaired and adaptive learning does not appear to extend beyond avoidance of punishment in most cases(Anderson 1999). Personality is marked by poor judgment, minimal insight into/slight anticipation of consequence, a desire for autonomy but a lack of self- initiation, lack of sense of competency, lack of identity, a lack of relationship between self and others and self and environment, and a deficit in motivation and goal directed behavior(Eslinger 2003). Most cases do not appear to experience anxiety or fear. These persons tend to be egocentric, easily irritated, impatient, and display â€Å"shallow† emotions(Trauner 2001). They cannot harness their emotions to use in an adaptive manner regarding learning from experience, and developing and maintaining relationships. Empathy, moral decision making and comprehension are usually erratically rule- based and self-serving. There is an inability to demonstrate perspective taking and limited to no perception... ...re Neuroscience,2(11),1032-1036. Eslinger, Paul J., Flaherty-Craig, Claire V., Benton, Arthur L. (2004). Developmental outcomes after early prefrontal cortex damage. Brain and Cognition, 55, 84- 103. Kalat, James W. (2004) Biological Psychology. Ontario, Canada: Wadsworth. Lawson, C. â€Å"Social Skills and School† www.cdl.org/resources/reading_room/social_skills.html. May 3, 2005. Mah, Linda, Arnold, Miriam C., Grafman, Jordan. Impairment of social perception associated with lesions of the prefrontal cortex. American Journal of Psychiatry, 161, 1247-1255. Thimble, Michael.H. (1990). Psychopathology of frontal lobe syndromes. Seminars in Neurology, 10(3). Trauner, Doris A., Nass R., Ballantyne A.(2001) Behavioural profiles of children and adolescents after pre- or perinatal unilateral brain damage. Brain, Vol. 124(5), 995-1002.