Psycho-organic syndrome in brain frontal lobe tumors

Cognitive behavior deficits following frontal lobe tumors comprise a series of symptoms related to the involvement of the prefrontal region. So, clinical signs express the alteration of brain superior functions, creating the psychopathological syndrome, an organic psychiatric syndrome. This consists of two types of symptoms, those called negative, depressive type, the pseudo-depression syndrome, positive ones, manic type, the pseudo-maniac syndrome, also known as moria or moriatic syndrome. The frontal brain tumor is the most frequent of all brain tumors, stronger are frontal lobe connections with the limbic lobe, which explains the cognitive symptoms. Pseudodepression syndrome or apathetic syndrome is characterized by apathy, indifference, motor perseveration, loss of self, motor programming deficits. These are symptoms related to impaired dorsolateral frontal cortex. Pseudomaniac syndrome instead comprises disinhibited, impulsive behavior inappropriate jocular affect, euphoria, emotional lability, poor judgment and insight, distractibility. Orbital frontal cortex is involved in the origin of such symptoms. The limbic cortex plays an important role in the development of cognitive disorders of the frontal lobe, affecting the symptoms for the rich connection with the frontal circuits. Definitely, brain frontal lobe tumors causing cognitive disorders represent a relevant factor regarding the relational and social aspects of life.