Damage to the frontal cortex can be caused by neurological disorders, traumatic events, and head injuries. Treatments such as medication, therapy, and surgery may improve symptoms. Frontal lobe epilepsy, concussions, and expressive aphasia are conditions that can result from frontal cortex damage. Diagnosis requires physical exams and brain scans. Recovery may be limited, and patients may have to live with cognitive difficulties for the rest of their lives.
There are many conditions that can cause damage to the frontal cortex. These conditions range from neurological disorders to traumatic events. Considering the severity of the event, a person’s cognitive abilities and personality can change. Treatments that include medications, therapy, and surgery may be able to improve symptoms of frontal cortex damage.
Frontal lobe epilepsy is a condition that can cause damage to the frontal cortex. This disorder can have a genetic or environmental cause, such as a head injury. Because frontal lobe seizures affect a large area of the brain, including the motor cortex, symptoms can include any number of unnatural movements or tremors. Seizures start and end unexpectedly, and the inability to know when a seizure will occur can lead to accidents that can cause physical harm to the patient. A patient’s quality of life is severely impaired as their ability to learn diminishes.
Concussions occur through a physical impact such as a sports injury or automobile accident. During a concussion, the force of the impact causes the frontal lobe and other parts of the brain to impact the inside of the skull. A minor impact can cause confusion and temporary amnesia. However, if the damage is more severe, permanent effects may occur, such as changes in personality, forgetfulness and difficulty learning new information.
Expressive aphasia is a condition that can develop from any form of damage to the frontal cortex. If a part of the frontal cortex known as Broca’s area is damaged during a concussion, seizure, or other event, an individual loses the ability to express written or spoken language despite the continued ability to understand all forms of language. The severity of the injury determines the amount of regeneration of speech and writing ability, with most improvements seen within a year of the injury.
Diagnosing damage to the frontal cortex requires a physical exam, CT scan, and/or MRI scan. A physical exam determines any affective damage it has had on motor control or cognitive function. The brain scan clearly shows which areas of the brain are affected and perhaps the underlying cause, such as a brain tumor. These and other tests diagnose the condition and offer patients a prognosis for recovery which may include treatment options.
Despite advances in medical science, treating frontal lobe damage rarely results in a full recovery. Although surgical procedures and/or medications can reduce if not eliminate seizures, a patient may have to live with the effects of seizures on memory and cognition for the rest of their life. The same is true for individuals recovering from a concussion; although initial confusion may subside, cognitive difficulties may persist. For those with expressive aphasia, speech therapy has shown some success in helping people express themselves better.
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