The Frontal Lobes: Our Brain's "Conductor"

We all know how important the conductor of a music orchestra is. The conductor provides the leadership required for all the different instruments and the individuals playing them to create beautiful music together.

Like the orchestra conductor, the frontal lobes in our brain play a critical role. The frontal lobes are responsible for forming goals, making a plan of action, coordinating the cognitive skills required to carry this out, and evaluating our actions.

In his book, "The Executive Brain: Frontal Lobes and the Civilized Mind" Dr. Elkhonon Goldberg explores the frontal lobes, that part of the brain that performs what are called "executive functions" and that reaches significant development only in humans.

Dr. Goldberg likens the frontal lobes to the CEO of a corporation, an army general, or an orchestra conductor.

He discusses how even subtle damage to this part of the brain which is normally involved in motivation, drive, foresight, clear vision of one's goals, self-awareness and awareness of others can produce apathy, inertia, indifference, and blindness in judgement.

Poor development or damage to the frontal lobes may also result in behavior that is considered socially inappropriate and irresponsible and in difficulties with novelty and learning.

The frontal lobes are affected not only directly but as a result of damage anywhere in the brain because of their connections to and from other brain structures. The frontal lobes, the last part of the brain to develop, are more vulnerable than any other part of the brain.

The frontal lobes are particularly affected in Alzheimer's and other dementias, schizophrenia, head injury (from car accidents, sports injuries, or toxins), attention deficit disorder, learning disabilities, Tourette's Syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and other conditions.

Often times, problems which are labelled as "personality" problems may actually be due to a problem with brain functioning. Dr. Goldberg's book contributes to awareness about the importance of understanding the brain and in particular the crucial role of the frontal lobes.

Dr. Goldberg is Clinical Professor of Neurology at the New York University School of Medicine and Director of the Institute of Neuropsychology and Cognitive Performance. He was a featured speaker at IBREA's two recent events held at the United Nations.

You can read an article and interview with Dr. Goldberg at http://www.brainworldmagazine.com/.