ABSTRACT
Clinical and neuropathological data suggest that of the various categories of patients subjected to neuropsychological examination, the ones with closed head injuries show the most direct relationship between anatomical site of the lesion and emergence of emotional and behavioural disorders. The meaning of the emotional changes observed in patients affected by cerebral lesions is not as clear as the meaning of cognitive deficits that can be observed in the same patients. The prevalence of post-stroke depression in patients with left anterior lesions could be due to the fact that the deficits resulting from this lesion are acutely present in the patient’s awareness, provoking feelings of depression and anguish. The major consequence of the patients’ dependent and egocentric attitude, reduced work capacity, and reduced interest in social or leisure activities is their progressive isolation together with that of the family.
