Frontal lobe dysfunction in patients with non-frontal malignant gliomas: amonoaminergic dysregulation?

Previous investigations concerned with the neuropsychological function of p atients with intracerebral supratentorial malignant gliomas has revealed th e frequent occurrence of signs suggestive of an inhibitory frontal robe dys function regardless of the intracerebral localization of the tumor and befo re the diagnosis was known to either the investigator or the patient. Upon closer analysis, the frontal lobe dysfunction has been verified by the demo nstration of reduced blood flow in frontal areas in these patients. Since m any of the findings can be related to a dysfunction of dopaminergic neurotr ansmission, we hypothesize that abnormal astrocytes interfere with the meta bolism, transport and release of various neurotransmitters of which dopamin e may be the one responsible for the most striking neuropsychological abnor malities in patients with malignant gliomas. (C) 1999 Harcourt Publishers L td.