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Pupillographic findings in neglect.
M Kim1, R L Schwartz, K M Heilman
1Department of Neurology, University of Florida College of Medicine, and the Neurology Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Gainesville, FL, USA.
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
|June 17, 1999
Summary
Individuals with unilateral sensory neglect did not exhibit pupillary dilation when viewing left-sided stimuli, suggesting a potential deficit in attention-arousal. This finding supports the hemispatial attention-arousal hypothesis of neglect.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Unilateral sensory neglect is often linked to attention-arousal deficits.
- Previous evidence for the hemispatial attention-arousal hypothesis has been indirect.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hemispatial attention-arousal hypothesis of neglect.
- To use pupillary response as a measure of arousal in neglect patients.
Main Methods:
- Two subjects with neglect and six controls were studied.
- Stimuli (numbers) were presented on the left, right, and center of a screen.
- Pupil diameter was measured while subjects viewed stimuli.
Main Results:
- Subjects with neglect failed to show pupillary dilation when viewing left-sided stimuli.
- Control subjects exhibited pupillary dilation for left-sided stimuli.
- This indicates a lack of arousal response to left-sided visual information in neglect.
Conclusions:
- The study provides support for the hemispatial attention-arousal hypothesis in neglect.
- The findings suggest that arousal mechanisms may be impaired in neglect.
- Other contributing factors to neglect are not ruled out.