Frontal lobe: Functions, structure, and damage Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe What does the frontal lobe do Medically reviewed by Heidi Moawad, M.D. — By Zawn Villines — Updated on July 10, 2022The frontal lobe of the brain is vital to our consciousness, as well as functions that appear uniquely human, such as spoken language. It is the largest of four paired lobes in the brain’s cerebral cortex. It is situated directly behind the forehead, and it contributes to a range of vital roles, including: memoryjudgmentabstract thoughtcreativitysocial appropriatenessmotor tasks, which involve voluntary movement The frontal lobes are the most common area for injury to occur in the brain. Damage can lead to a wide variety of symptoms, such as loss of movement, difficulty speaking, and changes in social behavior. In this article, learn about what the frontal lobe is, the role it plays, and what to expect if problems arise. What is the frontal lobe Share on PinterestSEAN GLADWELL/Getty ImagesThe frontal lobe is part of the brain’s cerebral cortex. It consists of two paired lobes: the left and right frontal cortex. As the name implies, the location of the frontal lobe is near the front of the head, under the frontal skull bones and near the forehead. All mammals have a frontal lobe, though the size and complexity vary between species. The two sides of the brain largely control operations on the opposite sides of the body. This is also true of the frontal lobe. So, the left frontal lobe affects muscles on the right side of the body. Similarly, the right frontal lobe controls muscles on the left side of the body. This can determine how a brain injury impacts the body. The brain is a complex organ, with billions of cells called neurons working together. Scientists are still learning about what these neurons do and how they work. The frontal lobe works alongside other brain regions and contributes to overall brain function. Memory formation, for example, depends on sensory input, which depends on numerous areas of the brain. As such, it is a mistake to attribute any one role of the brain to a single region. What is more, the brain may “rewire” itself to compensate for an injury. Functions of the frontal lobe The frontal lobe plays a key role in future planning, including self-management and decision-making. People with frontal lobe damage may find it difficult to gather information, remember previous experiences, and make decisions based on this input. Some of the many other functions the frontal lobe plays in daily functions include:Speech and language production: Broca’s area, a region in the frontal lobe, helps put thoughts into words. Damage to this area can lead to difficulty with fluent speech.Some motor skills: The frontal lobe houses the primary motor cortex, which helps control voluntary movements, including walking and running.Comparing objects: The frontal lobe helps people categorize and classify objects and distinguish one item from another.Forming memories: Virtually every brain region plays a role in memory, so the frontal lobe is not unique. However, research suggests it plays a key role in forming long-term memories.Understanding and reacting to the feelings of others: The frontal lobe is vital for empathy.Forming personality: The complex interplay of impulse control, memory, and other tasks helps form an individual’s key characteristics. Damage to the frontal lobe can impact an individual’s personality.Reward-seeking behavior and motivation: Many of the brain’s dopamine-sensitive neurons are in the frontal lobe. Dopamine is a brain chemical that helps support feelings of reward and motivation.Managing attention, including selective attention: When the frontal lobe cannot properly manage attention, conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), may develop. Effects of damage to the frontal lobe Early understanding and writings about the function of the frontal lobe came from studying a railroad worker, Phineas Gage, in 1848. Gage survived after a railroad spike impaled a portion of his frontal lobe at the age of 25 years. Though Gage survived, he lost his eye and much of his personality. Gage’s personality dramatically changed, and the once mild-mannered worker struggled to stick to even simple plans. He became “rude” in speech and demeanor and had little impulse control. However, little was known for sure about Gage’s personality before his accident, and many stories about him may be exaggerated or false. Since then, neuroimaging and research focusing on people with frontal lobe damage have provided extensive information about how the frontal lobe works. Some reasons why damage can occur include: dementiaa traumatic injurymultiple sclerosis (MS)brain tumora stroke What to expect It is not possible to accurately predict the outcome of any given frontal lobe injury, and similar injuries may develop quite differently in each person. If damage affects the frontal lobe due to a blow to the head, a stroke, a tumor, dementia, or other diseases, the following symptoms may appear:speech and language problemschanges in personalityloss of coordinationdifficulty focusingdifficulties with impulse controltrouble planning or sticking to a scheduleparalysis in certain parts of the bodydifficulty planning the steps of a task or thinking flexiblyloss of spontaneity in interactions with othersloss of insight into problems and difficulty solving problemschanges in social behavior and personalityfluctuations in moodreduced motivation What is a traumatic brain injury, and how can it affect a person? Treatment for damage to the frontal lobe To treat symptoms resulting from damage to the frontal lobe, a doctor will treat the underlying cause as well as the symptoms. A doctor may: prescribe medication to treat an infectioncarry out surgery to remove a growthgive medication to dissolve a blood clot, in the case of a strokerecommend dietary changes or exercise to reduce the risk of a second strokemake a treatment plan for long-term care, if a person has dementiasuggest rehabilitation to help the person regain as much function as possible A person may need ongoing care, and doctors may continually reevaluate the treatment strategy. The team may include speech and occupational therapists, doctors, psychotherapists, neurologists, imaging specialists, and other professionals. The brain can sometimes learn to work around an injury as other regions compensate for damage. Occupational, speech, and physical therapy can help with this. These treatments can prove especially helpful in the early stages of recovery, as the brain begins to heal. Frontal lobe damage can affect personality, emotion, and behavior. Individual, couple, and family counseling may help with the management of these changes. Medications that address impulse control issues can also be useful, particularly for people who face challenges with attention and motivation. Treatment for frontal lobe damage is often varied. Recovering from a frontal lobe injury is typically a long process. Progress can come suddenly or infrequently and is impossible to fully predict. Recovery is closely tied to supportive care, regular cognitive challenges, and a lifestyle that supports good health. Frequently asked questions Here are some answers to questions people often ask about frontal lobe damage. What causes frontal lobe problems Damage to the frontal lobe can result from dementia, a traumatic injury, multiple sclerosis, a brain tumor, a stroke, and other causes. What are the symptoms of frontal lobe damage Damage to the frontal lobe can affect speech and language, memory, attention, judgment, creativity, movement, emotion, behavior, and other key functions. Is it treatable Treatment will depend on the cause of the damage. Medication can help with some kinds of dementia. Speech therapy and physical therapy may also benefit some people. Takeaway The frontal lobe is part of the frontal cortex. It is a part of the brain that plays a role in memory, attention, judgment, and other vital functions. Damage to the frontal lobe can occur as a result of dementia, a traumatic injury, multiple sclerosis, a brain tumor, or a stroke. It can affect a person’s ability to use language, remember past events, and make decisions. Scientists are still learning about the frontal lobe and its functions. As some experts have said, it seems to play an essential role in “what makes us human.” Last medically reviewed on July 10, 2022Neurology / NeuroscienceRehabilitation / Physical Therapy 13 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Brain map frontal lobes. (2021).https://www.health.qld.gov.au/abios/asp/bfrontalCollins, A., et al. (2012). Reasoning, learning, and creativity: Frontal lobe function and human decision-making.http://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.1001293El-Baba, R. M., et al. (2021). 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Phineas Gage's great legacy.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7735047/Voytek, B. (2013). Are there really as many neurons in the human brain as stars in the Milky Way?https://www.nature.com/scitable/blog/brain-metrics/are_there_really_as_manyZelikowsky, M., et al. (2013). Prefrontal microcircuit underlies contextual learning after hippocampal loss.http://www.pnas.org/content/110/24/9938.fullFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Heidi Moawad, M.D. — By Zawn Villines — Updated on July 10, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? 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