BILATERAL PARAMEDIAN THALAMIC INFARCTION WITH PERSISTING SIGNS OF FRONTAL-LOBE DYSFUNCTION

Cognition and behavior of a 46-year-old woman with a bilateral paramed ian thalamic infarction is discussed with regard to dysfunctions of ex ecutive behaviors associated with frontal lobe function. The patient d isplayed marked disturbances in traditional neuropsychological tests m easuring frontal lobe functions, as well as in attentional and mnemoni c tasks depending on strategic behavior or on response flexibility, re sponse shifting, or response inhibition. Behaviorally, the patient sho wed considerable apathy, confusion and perseverative tendencies in the acute state, and a diminished psychic self-activation in the chronic state. In spite of long-lasting rehabilitation efforts, the patients' neurobehavioral deficits remained and became obvious in situations wit h high cognitive demands.