Unilateral visual neglect in right-hemisphere stroke: a longitudinal study

Unilateral visual neglect occurs frequently after right-hemisphere stroke. This longitudinal study assessed the performance pattern of 54 individuals with unilateral right-hemisphere stroke on the Behavioural Inattention Test (BIT), a measure of unilateral neglect. Eighteen subjects returned for retesting between 6-26 months post-onset. Results confirmed the frequent occurrence of unilateral visual neglect in patients with right-hemisphere damage. A high correlation was found between the Conventional and Behavioural Subtests of the BIT, indicating that the shorter subtest may be sufficient to identify neglect. Longitudinal data revealed two subgroups, those with transient neglect that resolved within 6 months and those with neglect that persisted over time. No differences in aetiology and lesion location distinguished patients with and without neglect or patients with transient or persistent neglect. Further research is needed to confirm these results and identify other characteristics that would predict the nature of the neglect.