Frontal Lobe of the Brain Functions, Medical Issues and Treatment

Overview 

The human brain is a complex organ that plays an essential role in thinking, judgement, self-control, muscle control, movement, memory , and many more. Continuous research happens about the brain and the medical issues that may affect it. Let us understand more about the brain to protect it from damage and to seek medical help at the first incidence of signs that indicate disorders related to it. This blog is a comprehensive guide on the frontal lobe of the brain, medical issues related to it and treatment options available.  

What is the frontal lobe? 

The frontal lobe is one of the five lobes of the brain. Humans have a wide range of abilities due to the cooperation of this part of the brain with numerous other brain regions. The frontal lobe is where skills necessary for thinking and conscious action are located. 

Where is the frontal lobe situated? 

As the name suggests, the frontal lobe is located in the front of your head, located immediately behind the forehead. 

What is the size of the frontal lobe? 

According to experts, the frontal lobe accounts for 25% to 40% of the cerebral cortex in the human brain. This is an estimated range since the brain doesn’t have distinct boundaries between sections.

What are the major functions of the frontal lobe? 

The frontal lobe is responsible for controlling a wide range of skills, including: 

• Social cognition: The frontal lobe governs the comprehension of social standards and aids in guiding what one ought to and ought not to do or say. 
• Reasoning: This area deals with the processing of both straightforward and intricate information, including judgement, logic, reasoning, decision-making, and creativity. 
• Executive functions: Frontal lobe also deals with inhibitions, working memory, attention span, and self-control of human beings. 
• Movement of muscles: Deliberate and voluntary muscle actions, such as raising the hand or extending the legs to stand up and move around, need the help of the brain’s frontal lobe. It also manages the movement and functioning of the vocal cords.  
• Learning and memorising: The human brain’s capacity to process and retain new information for later use is known as learning and recalling information. The frontal lobe aids in subsequent information retrieval also.  

What materials constitute the frontal lobe? 

The frontal lobe consists of cells similar to other lobes of the brain. They are: 

• Neurons are the nerve and brain cells in the human body that communicate with one another by sending or receiving messages. Inside the neurons, the signals move as electrical impulses or currents. The neurons transform electrical signals into chemicals that are released from the cell. The subsequent neuron recognises the molecules and initiates a new impulse. A message moves swiftly between and within neurons in this manner. 
• Glial cells: These cells support the neurological system by removing waste, supplying nutrition and providing structural support to the cell. They do not control signalling. 

What conditions can affect the functioning of the frontal lobe? 

The brain’s frontal lobe can be affected by all the disorders that may affect the brain. Some of them are Alzheimer’s disease, brain lesions, carbon monoxide poisoning, anxiety and personality disorders, seizures, epilepsy, brain tumours or cancers, stroke, headaches, migraines and many more. 

What are the signs and symptoms related to frontal lobe disorders? 

One can look for the following symptoms that may be indicative of frontal lobe disorders.  

• Trouble paying attention, organising and reasoning
• Personality changes 
• Memory loss 
• Inability to move muscles 
• Difficulty in controlling impulses 

What tests can diagnose disorders related to the frontal lobe? 

There are many tests that the healthcare provider may perform to diagnose health problems and rule out the chances of other suspected disorders. Some of the tests are:  

• Computed Tomography (CT) scan 
• Evoked potentials (sensory tests) 
• Electromyogram 
• Electroencephalogram 
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Neuropsychological testing 

What steps may help keep the frontal lobe healthy? 

One can take several measures to keep the entire brain, including the frontal lobe, healthy so that some disorders can be avoided. While completely avoiding the risk is impossible, one can probably lower the risk of getting them by taking the following actions: 

• Find ways to stay physically active: Conditions that affect the brain, like blood circulation problems, can be prevented or delayed by controlling weight and exercising  regularly . The doctor may advise on what weight range is healthy and may assist in finding strategies to get there and maintain it. Physical exercise also directly improves brain health by promoting healthy blood flow and enhancing  neurotransmitter-producing processes in the brain. 
• Maintain a balanced diet: Balanced diet impacts vascular health, which is necessary for the brain to function correctly. For example, a stroke happens when circulatory disorders affect your brain. The brain may also be impacted by taking specific vitamins in excess or too little. 
• Control recurring illnesses: Numerous disorders get worse over time. Treating those disorders, however, may prevent or postpone the progression of those conditions. These include Type 2 diabetes, epilepsy, and other diseases. 
• Wear safety gear: Frontal lobe is the portion of the brain particularly vulnerable to traumatic brain injuries and concussions. To avoid major injuries, it’s imperative to wear helmets, safety restraints (such as seat belts), and other types of protective equipment. 

Conclusion 

The frontal lobe is one of the most critical regions of the brain. Many of the abilities that one utilises every day are controlled or managed by this region. It also contains areas in charge of one’s personality, emotions, judgement etc .

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

How to take care of the frontal lobe?

The following are some of the ways to take care of the frontal lobe:

• Include a healthy and balanced diet
• Wear protective gear when needed
• Manage chronic conditions
• Stay physically active
• Maintain healthy weight 

What are the various conditions and disorders affecting the frontal lobe?

The following are some of the conditions and disorders that may affect the frontal lobe:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Autism spectrum disorder
• Brain lesions
• Expressive aphasia
• Brain cancers and tumours
• Frontotemporal dementia
• Genetic conditions
• Headaches and migraines
• Infections, heavy metal poisoning or other toxins
• Mental disorders, such as anxiety disorder and personality disorders
• Lewy body dementia
• Seizures, stroke, and transient ischemic attack