Stroop performance in focal lesion patients: dissociation of processes and frontal lobe lesion location
Abstract
There were three primary objectives: to examine the usefulness of the Stroop interference effect as a measure of frontal lobe function; to investigate the possibility of distinct lesion effects for word reading or color naming; and to specifically determine the brain regions necessary for the performance of the incongruent condition. Fifty-one patients with single focal brain lesions in frontal and non-frontal regions and 26 normal control subjects (CTL) were administered the word reading, color naming and incongruent conditions of the Stroop task. Only frontal lesions produced significant impairment. Patients with posterior lesions were not significantly deficient in any condition. Damage to the left dorsolateral frontal lobe resulted in increased errors and slowness in response speed for color naming. Contrary to Perret (Neuropsychology, 1974; 12: 323-330), lesions of the left frontal lobe did not result in a selective interference deficit on the Stroop incongruent condition. Rather, bilateral superior medial frontal damage was associated with increased errors and slowness in response time for the incongruent condition. This result is interpreted as failure of maintenance of consistent activation of the intended response in the incongruent Stroop condition. The results and conclusion are compatible with the prevalent theories of both the Stroop effect and the role of the superior medial frontal regions. The role of the anterior cingulate cortex on performance of the Stroop task is likely related to task and patient context.
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The only partial replication of Perret's result in humans was by Stuss et al. (2001), who showed a left frontal deficit for colour naming, not interference.
“Since that time the only partial replication of the result in humans to our knowledge was given recently by Stuss et al. (2001; 'partial', since Stuss et al. showed a left frontal deficit for colour naming not interference!)”
From The case for the development and use of ecologically valid measures of executive function in experimental and clinical neuropsychology (2006) · cites this paper as Stuss et al. (2001)
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- Authors
- Stuss, D. T., Floden, D., Alexander, M. P., Levine, B., & Katz, D.
- Affiliations
- University of Toronto (CA)
- Boston University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Stuss, D.T
- Venue
- Neuropsychologia
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2001-01
- Volume
- 39
- Issue
- 8
- Pages
- 771-786
- ISSN
- 0028-3932 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1969512253
- Cited by
- 464
- References
- 9
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 23 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 20 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 23 · 2015: 28 · 2014: 23 · 2013: 17 · 2012: 26
- FWCI
- 8.54
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Neuropsychologia (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health (NINDS 26985)
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (P50NS026985)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neurobiology of Language and Bilingualism
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Historical and Modern Theater Studies
- Keywords
- Stroop interference, frontal lobe lesions, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, color naming, word reading, response inhibition, response speed, lesion localization
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Color Perception, Female, Frontal Lobe, Humans, Functional Laterality, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Middle Aged, Neuropsychological Tests, Psychomotor Performance, Reaction Time, Tomography, X-Ray Computed, Brain Injury, Chronic
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