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Multiple Choice

Dysexecutive syndrome with poor planning and working memory impairment is typically linked to injury of which region?

Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is central to executive control, especially working memory and planning. When this region is damaged, people commonly show dysexecutive syndrome: trouble holding and manipulating information in mind, difficulties organizing steps to reach a goal, and problems sequencing actions. These deficits reflect the region’s role in maintaining goal-directed behavior, monitoring and updating information, and planning ahead. By contrast, orbitofrontal damage more often yields disinhibition and impulsivity, medial frontal damage can reduce initiative and motivation, and anterior cingulate lesions are linked to impaired error monitoring and effort. So the pattern of poor planning coupled with working memory impairment best points to injury of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is central to executive control, especially working memory and planning. When this region is damaged, people commonly show dysexecutive syndrome: trouble holding and manipulating information in mind, difficulties organizing steps to reach a goal, and problems sequencing actions. These deficits reflect the region’s role in maintaining goal-directed behavior, monitoring and updating information, and planning ahead. By contrast, orbitofrontal damage more often yields disinhibition and impulsivity, medial frontal damage can reduce initiative and motivation, and anterior cingulate lesions are linked to impaired error monitoring and effort. So the pattern of poor planning coupled with working memory impairment best points to injury of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.