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The neurological basis of visual neglect
A David Milner1, Robert D McIntosh
1Cognitive Neuroscience Research Unit, Wolfson Research Institute, University of Durham, Stockton-on-Tees, UK. a.d.milner@durham.ac.uk
Current Opinion in Neurology
|November 11, 2005
Summary
Visual neglect significantly impacts healthcare, with its severity predicting patient disability more than brain damage. Prism adaptation shows promise for rehabilitation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neurology
Background:
- Visual neglect is a significant neurological condition impacting healthcare services.
- Its prevalence in right hemisphere stroke patients is high (48%).
- Neglect severity correlates more strongly with functional disability and family burden than brain damage extent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current research on visual neglect.
- To explore the anatomical and functional underpinnings of neglect.
- To discuss emerging rehabilitation strategies.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on visual neglect.
- Examination of studies on anatomical correlates.
- Analysis of research on visual pathways and spatial working memory.
- Inclusion of studies on visual extinction and perceptual distortions.
- Survey of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and prism adaptation research.
Main Results:
- Progress is being made in understanding neglect's components and brain localization.
- Research is exploring anatomical focus, visual input pathways, spatial working memory, visual extinction, and perceptual distortions.
- Studies using TMS in healthy subjects and prism adaptation for rehabilitation are highlighted.
Conclusions:
- Understanding neglect's complexity is ongoing, with varying presentations among patients.
- The clinical expression of neglect results from interacting spatial and non-spatial impairments.
- Prism adaptation is the most promising approach for neglect rehabilitation to date.