ABSTRACT
Basic neuroscientific research has greatly contributed to a deeper understanding of the cognitive functions of the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Injuries of the PFC typically give rise to severe cognitive disorders that usually are subsumed under the broad rubric of executive dysfunctions (EDF). The umbrella term of EDF denotes a high-level disorder in the control of thought and action. The existence of EDF is of critical importance for the prognosis of disabilities in daily living, vocational rehabilitation, and social integration. Neuropsychological assessment instruments and intervention programs are discussed.
Subject(s)
Cognition Disorders/physiopathology , Prefrontal Cortex/physiopathology , Attention/physiology , Basal Ganglia/physiopathology , Brain Damage, Chronic/diagnosis , Brain Damage, Chronic/physiopathology , Brain Mapping , Cognition Disorders/diagnosis , Dominance, Cerebral/physiology , Humans , Nerve Net/physiopathology , Neuropsychological Tests , Problem Solving/physiology , Thalamus/physiopathologyABSTRACT
The case of a female dextral patient (MN) is reported. MN sustained a partial frontotemporal infarction in the right hemisphere. Clinically, MN presented herself mainly with aphasic symptoms. The dextrality of the patient and the laterality of the lesion as well as the nature of language deficits would legitimate the diagnosis of a crossed aphasia, implying paradoxical lateralization of language in MN. However, comprehensive neuropsychological assessment revealed the presence of a global dysexecutive syndrome in MN, suggesting a general cognitive impairment, part of which must be the aphasic symptoms. General issues regarding the relationship between language and cognition and the lateralization of cognitive functions are discussed.
