The frontal lobes are necessary for 'theory of mind'

Patients with limited focal frontal and nonfrontal lesions were tested for visual perspective taking and detecting deception, Frontal lobe lesions imp aired the ability to infer mental states in others, with dissociation of pe rformance within the frontal lobes. Lesions throughout the frontal lobe, wi th some suggestion of a more important role for the right frontal lobe, wer e associated with impaired visual perspective taking. Medial frontal lesion s, particularly right ventral, impaired detection of deception, The former may require cognitive processes of the lateral and superior medial frontal regions, the latter affective connections of the ventral medial frontal wit h amygdala and other limbic regions.