The brain is the command-and-control center of your life. It uses its over 100 billion neurons to perceive and analyze incoming information; decide what, if anything, to do about the information; and then instruct the body to do it.
The brain is divided into lobes and regions. Each brain lobe is responsible for specific functions, such that impairment in that lobe results in specific problems.
| Lobe |
Functions |
Problems |
| Medial Temporal Lobe |
Short-term memory Learning |
Short-term memory loss |
| Lateral Temporal Lobe |
Hearing/Listening Reading Reading social cues Recognizing objects by sight Anger control Naming things |
Reading problems Word-finding problems Trouble reading social cues Episodic rage Poor object recognition Religious or moral preoccupation
|
| Parietal Lobe |
Direction sense Sensory perception Spatial processing, sees motion Visual guidance, such as to grab objects Recognize objects by touch Ability to know where you are in space Know right from left Reading and creating maps |
Impaired direction sense Trouble dressing or putting objects together Left-right confusion Denial of illness Impaired position sense Trouble with math or writing Neglect or unawareness of what your see Impaired copying, drawing or cutting
|
| Frontal Lobe |
Judgment Impulse control Attention span Organization Self-monitoring Problem solving Critical thinking Empathy |
Poor judgment Impulsivity Short attention Disorganization Trouble learning from experience Confusion Poor time management Repeated mistakes Lack of empathy |
| Occipital Lobe |
Sight Color perception Lines Depth |
Visual problems Can’t see outlines or objects Visual (simple) hallucination Visual (simple) illusions Functional blindness Objects appear larger or smaller than they are Colors not recognized |