Frontal lobe executive control functions (ECF) are proposed as a source of problem behavior in dementia. The behavior and personality changes that follow frontal lobe brain damage overlap with those seen in dementia, and frontal lobe structural and metabolic lesions can be demonstrated across a variety of dementing illnesses. ECF help explain the importance of social and environmental cues in the production of disruptive behavior and suggest interpersonal strategies for their control. This model has considerable face validity and leads to several testable hypotheses.