Let's get to know the 'boss' of your brain? (Frontal Lobe)

Have you ever wondered how you make decisions, how you control what to say and what not to say when talking to friends, or how you plan something complex? There is a very important part of our brain that is responsible for all of this, like a 'boss'. That part is what we call the Frontal Lube, or in Sinhala, the Lalata Kandikava. Let's talk about this in simple terms today.

What is the Frontal Lobe?

Simply put, the frontal lobe is the part of the brain that is located behind your forehead, at the front of your head. Our brain is divided into four main parts, or lobes. These are the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes. Each of these parts controls specific functions in our body.

The largest of these four parts is the Frontal Lobe. Imagine, the wrinkled surface of our brain, that is, the Cortex, is covered by this Frontal Lobe. This Cortex controls our higher-level mental processes such as language, memory, and reasoning.

To be precise, this is like the CEO or team leader of our brain. He is the one who makes the most important decisions, makes plans, and coordinates with the other parts.

What are the main things that happen in the Frontal Lobe?

The work done by this part is very large. Although it is divided into smaller parts to make it easier for researchers to study, let's understand its main functions as they relate to everyday life.

Controlling our movements

This part controls all the voluntary movements we make, such as reaching out and picking up something, walking, and forming words to speak. The area called the Primary Motor Cortex in particular is responsible for this task. Surprisingly, the right frontal lobe of the brain controls movements on the left side of the body, and the left side controls movements on the right side.

Decision-making, planning, and personality

This is the most amazing and complex function of the Frontal Lobe .

• Decision Making and Problem Solving: This section helps you think step-by-step to choose between good and bad, and solve problems when they arise.
• Planning: This can help with everything from planning something as simple as making a cup of coffee in the morning to planning a big project.
• Personality and Social Behavior: This greatly influences your personality, which means how you behave, think, and manage your emotions . This section also helps you understand social cues, which are the way you should speak and behave in society.
• Focus: Helps you stay focused on work and avoid unnecessary distractions.

Conversation and language

The frontal lobe is very important for our speech and language comprehension. In particular, Broca's area, located on the left side of the frontal lobe of the brain of most right-handed people, helps us with speech production.

How long does it take for the frontal lobe to fully develop?

This is a very important and interesting fact. When we are born, our brains are only 25% of the size of an adult brain. This means that our brains undergo a lot of growth and change throughout childhood and adolescence.

This is why, at a young age, that is, between the ages of 13 and 19, children sometimes behave one way and sometimes another. At one time they are very intelligent and logical, and at another time they do unthinkable stupid things. The reason is that their Frontal Lube is still "under construction". This does not mean that they cannot reason or think. However, those abilities are not yet stable.

The rate at which this development occurs varies from person to person. Many factors, including genetics, nutrition, illness , and sleep, affect this. Typically, this part of the brain that is identified as female at birth (AFAB) ends in its early 20s, while it can continue into the mid- to late 20s, and sometimes into the early 30s, for those identified as male at birth (AMAB).

What happens if the Frontal Lobe is damaged?

This part is located at the front of our head, so it is more likely to be damaged in accidents. It can also be damaged by strokes, brain tumors, or certain medical conditions. There are many symptoms that can occur if such damage occurs.

Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)

This is a type of dementia that affects the Frontal Lobe and Temporal Lobe. In this case, brain cells gradually die. As a result, the abilities controlled by those parts are lost. There are several main types of this too. Some people experience behavioral changes first, while others experience language problems first.

Other medical conditions

• Frontal Lobe Epilepsy: Abnormalities in this area can cause seizures.
• Frontal Lobe Stroke: A stroke caused by a blockage of the blood vessels supplying this area can cause the above symptoms.

If you or someone you know has one or more of these symptoms that persist for a long time, it is very important to see a qualified doctor immediately . The doctor may refer you for the following tests, if necessary:

• Blood tests
• CT scan
• MRI scan
• EEG (Electroencephalogram) - to measure the electrical activity of the brain
• Neuropsychological testing

How do we keep our Frontal Lobe healthy?

Our brain is a part of our body, so keeping the whole body healthy is the best way to keep the brain healthy.

• Eat a balanced diet: Eating foods rich in vitamins and minerals can keep your circulatory system healthy and reduce the risk of stroke.
• Be physically active: Exercise is also very good for blood circulation.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• If you have other medical conditions (such as diabetes, high blood pressure), control them well according to your doctor's instructions .
• Protect your head: Wear seat belts when driving and helmets when riding bicycles/motorcycles. It is very important to protect your head from accidents.