Hemispatial neglect, balance and eye-movement control

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Stroke Research

Background:

• Spatial awareness and balance disorders are common, under-diagnosed post-stroke complications.
• These deficits significantly impair patient outcomes and frequently co-occur.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in understanding the mechanisms of spatial and balance disorders after stroke.
• To explore potential therapeutic strategies for these debilitating conditions.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on spatial neglect and pusher syndrome.
• Analysis of neuroimaging findings and experimental treatment data.

Main Results:

• Right-hemisphere networks are critical for spatial attention and postural control.
• Neglect involves oculomotor impairments; the right inferior parietal lobe is implicated, with subcortical stroke also contributing.
• Pusher syndrome may relate to subjective verticality deficits, though findings vary.
• Prism adaptation shows promise for neglect treatment; noradrenergic stimulation is under investigation.

Conclusions:

• Novel techniques enhance understanding of post-stroke spatial and postural deficits.
• While established therapies for neglect are lacking, behavioral and pharmacological approaches show promise.