Mental Capacity Act (2005) assessments: Why everyone needs to know about the frontal lobe paradox

Patients with frontal lobe damage can perform well in interview and test settings, despite marked impairments in everyday life. This is known as the ‘frontal lobe paradox’. Failing to take account of this when conducting Mental Capacity Act assessments can result in disastrous consequences for patients. We suggest that neuropsychologists work collaboratively with local authority social workers and care managers, who often have the final say in such assessments, to raise awareness of this issue.