Common Brain Lesions

Question 1

Amygdala (bilateral)

Answer 1

Consequence: Kluver-Bucy syndrome (hyperorality, hypersexuality, disinhibited behavior)

Notes: Associated with HSV-1.

Question 2

Frontal lobe

Answer 2

Consequence: Disinhibition and deficits in concentration, orientation, and judgement; may have reemergence of primitive reflexes

Notes:

Question 3

Right parietal lobe

Answer 3

Consequence: Spatial neglect syndrome (agnosia of the contralateral side of the world)

Notes:

Question 4

Reticular activating system (midbrain)

Answer 4

Consequence: Reduced levels of arousal and wakefulness (e.g. coma)

Notes:

Question 5

Mammillary bodies (bilateral)

Answer 5

Consequence: Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome: confusion, ophthalmoplegia, ataxia; memory loss (anterograde and retrograde amnesia), confabulation, personality changes

Notes: Associated with thiamine (B1) deficiency and excessive EtOH use; can be precipitated by giving glucose without B1 to B1-deficient patient.

Question 6

Basal ganglia

Answer 6

Consequence: May result in tremor at rest, chorea, or athetosis

Notes: Parkinson’s disease.

Question 7

Cerebellar hemisphere

Answer 7

Consequence: Intention tremor, limb ataxia, and loss of balance; damage to the cerebellum results in ipsilateral deficits; fall toward side of lesion
Notes: Cerebellar hemispheres are laterally located-affect lateral limbs.

Question 8

Cerebellar vermis

Answer 8

Consequence: Truncal ataxia, dysarthria

Notes: Vermis is centrally located-affects central body.

Question 9

Subthalamic nucleus

Answer 9

Consequence: Contralateral hemiballismus

Notes:

Question 10

Hippocampus

Answer 10

Consequence: Anterograde amnesia-inability to make new memories

Notes:

Question 11

Paramedian pontine reticular formation (PPRF)

Answer 11

Consequence: Eyes look away from side of lesion

Notes:

Question 12

Frontal eye fields

Answer 12

Eyes look toward lesion