Prefrontal damage in childhood and changes in the development of personality: A case report

Abstract

Frontal lobe lesions are associated with behavioral abnormalities and executive dysfunction. When these lesions occur early in life, the symptoms are even more severe as the anatomical and functional substrates underlying personality and behavior are damaged, distorting normal modulation by interaction with the psychosocial environment. We present a case of a 40-year-old man who suffered a frontal lobe lesion at the age of nine years and developed impulsivity, disinhibition and inappropriate behaviors while showing some preservation of insight. Brain MRI revealed lesions to bilateral orbitofrontal cortex, ventromedial prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate gyri and genu of the corpus callosum, which were more extensive on the right side. The right prefrontal dorsolateral cortex was severely damaged, whereas the right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex was spared. We will discuss the correlation of the damaged pre frontal regions with the symptoms presented by the patient.

Proper‐Function Moral Realism

“…Pascual et al 2013, compare Kroger et al 2002, Wood and Grafman 2003, Greene et al 2004, Behrens et al 2007, Banich et al 2009, and Hewig et al 2009 Moll et al 2002Moll et al , p. 2732DeGelder 2006, p. 244;and Singer et al 2009. 16 Young et al 2010, Krajbich et al 2009, Anderson et al 1999, 2000, Bahia et al 2013, and Koenigs and Tranel 2007. See also Sagami and Watanabe 2007, Cohen et al 2008, and Rangel et al 2015.…”

“…Young et al , Krajbich et al , Anderson et al , , Bahia et al , and Koenigs and Tranel . See also Sagami and Watanabe , Cohen et al , and Rangel et al .…”

Moral Reasoning in Children with Focal Brain Insults to Frontotemporal Regions

“…The literature on social outcomes after focal EBI consists mostly of reports of individual cases presenting with prefrontal damage, often assessed in adulthood, or of aetiology-specific studies of global social competence after particular medical conditions. These reports suggest that early onset lesions to the prefrontal cortex could lead to severe sociobehavioural problems (Anderson, Bechara, Damasio, Tranel, & Damasio, 1999; Bahia et al, 2013; Boes et al, 2011; Eslinger, Flaherty-Craig, & Benton, 2004). A review of 31 studies on psychosocial adjustment in survivors of childhood brain tumours also suggests that these patients are at risk for deficits in social competence, defined as a multidimensional construct comprised of adaptive behaviour, social skills, and peer acceptance (Fuemmeler, Elkin, & Mullins, 2002).…”