![The frontal lobe is the largest lobe of the brain.](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/article/main_image/brain-biopsy.jpg?output-quality=75)
The frontal lobe plays a role in regulating emotions in interpersonal relationships and social situations. These include positive (happiness, gratitude, satisfaction) as well as negative (anger, jealousy, pain, sadness) emotions.
People with damage to the prefrontal cortex of the frontal lobe area face difficulty in controlling the emotions of anger and aggression.
Where is the frontal lobe?
The brain is made up of four types of lobes: frontal lobe, parietal lobe, temporal lobe, and occipital lobe. Each lobe serves different functions.
The frontal lobe is the largest lobe of the brain. It extends from the front of the brain to almost halfway toward the back of the brain.
What is the function of the frontal lobe?
The frontal lobe in conjunction with the other lobes of the brain plays a vital role in controlling inhibitions. The important functions of the frontal lobe include:
Social and emotional reactions:
- Decision-making
- Self-control
- Emotional regulation
Cognitive skills:
- Maintaining concentration and alertness
- High-level thinking
- Problem-solving
- Planning
- Judgment
- Conversation
The frontal lobe also plays a role in linguistic, artistic, and creative skills.
The back of the frontal lobe controls the body's voluntary physical movements. The left side controls movements of the right side of the body, while the right motor strip controls movements of the left side of the body.
What happens when the frontal lobe is damaged?
Since the frontal lobe is involved in executing a variety of functions, a multitude of symptoms can occur if it gets damaged. These symptoms may include one or more of the following:
- Changes in personality
- Impairment of problem-solving skills
- Difficulty in planning things
- Decreased ability to retain information
- Impaired judgment
- Inappropriate behavior
- Decline in creativity
- Depression
- Noticeable changes in behavior
- Lack of motivation
- Inability to maintain focus (or low attention span)
- Impulsive behavior
- Hemiparesis/hemiplegia (weakness on one side of the body)
- A tendency to fall (or difficulty in maintaining balance)
- Decreased sensations of taste or smell
What causes damage to the frontal lobe?
Factors that cause damage to the frontal lobe include:
- Head injury (that impacts the frontal lobe)
- Infection of the frontal lobe or abscess in the area
- Tumors in the frontal lobe
- Stroke
- Parkinson’s disease
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Huntington disease
- Epilepsy
- Multiple sclerosis
- HIV
- Dementia
How is frontal lobe damage diagnosed?
Doctors use computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the brain to confirm the diagnosis of frontal lobe damage. They look for specific features, such as infection, tumor, shrinking of the brain (brain atrophy), or any associated degenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s disease.
A complete neurological examination is also performed that involves testing motor skills, language and speech skills, social behavior, impulse control, memory, and problem-solving skills.
What is the treatment of frontal lobe damage?
Medical treatment depends entirely on the type and cause of frontal lobe damage. The prescribed medications can be used to treat the infection or stroke and surgery to remove the tumor. Medicines are also available to control the specific symptoms of frontal lobe damage.
Physical and occupational therapy is frequently needed if there is the involvement of motor skill impairment (as in paralysis).
Speech therapy may also help patients manage symptoms associated with speaking.
![](https://images.medicinenet.com//images/slideshow/brain_foods_s1_assorted_smoothies.jpg)
SLIDESHOW
Brain Food Pictures: What to Eat to Boost Focus See SlideshowHealth Solutions From Our Sponsors
Blair RJR. Considering anger from a cognitive neuroscience perspective. Wiley Interdiscip Rev Cogn Sci. Published online January-February 2012. doi: 10.1002/wcs.154
Pirau L, Lui F. Frontal Lobe Syndrome. StatPearls Publishing. January 2020. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532981/
Top What Emotions Does the Frontal Lobe Control? Related Articles
Brain Foods Slideshow
Learn how to increase concentration and boost memory. Brain foods such as fish (omega 3 fatty acids), berries, fruits, nuts, chocolate, vitamins and more can help.Brain Picture
The brain is one of the largest and most complex organs in the human body. See a picture of the Brain and learn more about the health topic.10 Facts About the Amazing Brain Quiz
Take this brain quiz to learn about your amazing brain! It's the most complex part of your body, and is responsible for many functions, including how you behave!Concussions & Brain Damage Quiz
What is a concussion? Learn causes, symptoms, and treatments of this very common traumatic brain injury by taking this quick quiz.What Were Your First Signs and Symptoms of a Brain Tumor?
The symptoms of a tumor depend on how big it is and where it is in the brain. Some slow-growing tumors may not cause any symptoms at first. Eventually, the tumor may put pressure on the brain that may cause the signs and symptoms like severe headaches, seizures, irritability, dizziness, personality change and more.How Does Emotion Affect Cognition?
Your emotions play a definite role in your cognition. Emotion affects cognition because the regions of the brain are interlinked and influence our behavior and actions.Left Brain vs. Right Brain
Are left brain vs. right brain theories myth or fact? They actually are a little of both! Scientists and researchers have tried to answer this question since the 1800s. In the 1960s, neuroscientist Roger Sperry began to research the right brain vs. left brain theory. In 1981, together with neuroscientist Torsten Wiesel, he won the won the Nobel Prize for his "split-brain" theory. In the split-brain theory, the left and right sides of the brain are connected by the corpus callosum (where place each side of the brain meets and sends signals and communicates with other), and that both the left and right sides of the brain have specific functions.
What is an example of right-brain vs. left brain theory? Scientists now know that for most people who are right-handed, the language center of their brain is located in the Broca are of the left side of the brain. Moreover, research suggests that that emotions and creativity are located in the right-side of the brain. The medical field calls this "brain lateralization." While researchers and scientists don't fully understand the functions of the right-and -left sides of the brain or hemispheres, but through ongoing research there are endless possibilities in learning how the brain functions.
REFERENCE: Corballis, MC. "Left Brain, Right Brain: Facts and Fantasies." PLoS Biol. 2014 Jan; 12(1): e1001767.What Are the 7 Basic Types of Feelings and Emotions?
Feelings and emotion types are central to our well-being as living creatures. The 7 basic types of feelings and emotions include fear, contempt, disgust, sadness, anger, happiness, and surprise.