---
title: "Bedside Frontal Lobe Evaluation"
url: https://mghmclean.org/residents/handbk/part2b/bed.htm
description: "source: Ettlin T, Kischka U. Bedside Frontal Lobe Testing, in Neuropsychological Functions of the Frontal Lobes."
published: 2026-08-10
updated: 2026-08-10
---

# Bedside Frontal Lobe Evaluation

Published 2026-08-10

PART 3 / CH 34

Roy Perlis

## Observe

Emotional withdrawal

Depressive mood

Decreased initiative/motivation

Motor retardation

Blunted affect

Lability of mood

Disinhibition

Hostility/uncooperativeness

Excitement

Inattention

Poor planning

Inaccurate insight/self-appraisal

| **Test** | **Look for** |
|---|---|
| Serial 7 subtraction | stereotypes (100-93-83-73) |
| spell EARTH in reverse | stereotypes (T-H-R-E-A) |
| Months in reverse | July-June-May…June |
| Grasp reflex | presence of grasp |
| Go/No-Go“when I tap once, you tap twice;when I tap twice, don’t tap at all.” | inability to suppress impulse to tap, or copying examiner |
| Rhythm tapping | inability to mimic complex rhythm |
| Luria hand sequence(fist-chop-flat)“repeat these movements” | perseveration |
| Copying a pattern(peaks and squares) | perseveration(e.g., 2 peaks in a row) |
| Clock drawing | errors in planning(n.b. also tests parietal function) |

source: Ettlin T, Kischka U. Bedside Frontal Lobe Testing, in Neuropsychological Functions of the Frontal Lobes.