Question

An elderly man comes into his doctor's office with symptoms of dementia and notable loss of executive functioning. Dysfunction of which one of the following brain regions would be most closely associated with the patient's loss of executive functioning?

A. Caudate nucleus
B. Putamen
C. Globus pallidus
D. Frontal lobes
E. Temporal lobes

Answer 1

Dysfunction of the frontal lobes is most closely associated with the loss of executive functioning, as they are critically involved in cognitive processes related to goal-directed behaviors and attention.

Step-by-step explanation:

This concerns dysfunction of the brain regions and their associated cognitive impairments. The elderly man's symptoms of dementia and notable loss of executive functioning can be mainly attributed to dysfunction of the frontal lobes. The frontal lobes, especially the prefrontal areas, are critically involved in executive functions such as working memory, attention, and goal-directed behaviors. Dysfunctions in these areas can lead to difficulties in organizing thoughts, inhibiting distractions, and managing goal-focused activities—hallmarks of impaired executive functioning.