EFFECTS OF FRONTAL-LOBE INJURY IN CHILDHOOD

The impact of frontal lobe damage may be viewed in terms of compromise to three general areas of ability: self-regulation, the allocation of attentional resources, and the ability to act on knowledge. These cognitive and behavioral functions are associated with major inputs to frontal structures from specific cortical and subcortical brain regions. Case studies of four children who sustained traumatic frontal lobe injury showed persistent patterns of cognitive and behavioral change marked by impaired attention, academic production deficits, irritability, distractibility, and social problems in the absence of apparent intellectual, linguistic, or perceptual compromise. Persisting deficits, interacting with growth and changes in environmental demands, compromise adaptation in home, school, and other social contexts.