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Are patients with constructional disorders different in visuo-spatial abilities?
R Angelini1, R Frasca, D Grossi
1Department of Neurology, II School of Medicine, Naples.
Acta Neurologica
|August 1, 1992
Summary
Constructional apraxia, or impaired visuo-spatial abilities, affects patients with both left and right brain damage. This study confirms that brain lesions on either side can lead to these deficits.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neurology
Background:
- Hypotheses suggest a link between brain damage location and constructional apraxia.
- Specifically, right brain damage was thought to primarily cause visuo-spatial deficits.
- Previous research indicates visuo-spatial impairments in apraxic patients regardless of lesion side, using varied methodologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate constructional performances in patients with left and right brain damage.
- To specifically assess visuo-spatial disabilities using geometric figure copying tasks.
Main Methods:
- Patients with left and right brain damage were evaluated.
- Geometric figure copying and specific visuo-spatial tasks were utilized for assessment.
Main Results:
- Both left and right brain lesions were found to cause impairments in visuo-spatial abilities.
- Constructional performances were affected irrespective of the side of brain damage.
Conclusions:
- The findings challenge the specific localization of visuo-spatial deficits to right brain damage.
- A cognitive approach is valuable for understanding constructional apraxia and visuo-spatial impairments.