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Hemispatial neglect affected by non-neglected stimuli
V W Mark1, C A Kooistra, K M Heilman
1Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville.
Neurology
|August 1, 1988
Summary
Patients with hemispatial neglect show more errors when marking targets than erasing them. This suggests that stimuli in the non-neglected space may impair performance in hemispatial neglect.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Clinical Neurology
Background:
- Hemispatial neglect is characterized by failure to respond to stimuli on one side of space.
- Current theories attribute neglect to attentional, intentional, or exploratory deficits contralateral to brain lesions.
- An alternative hypothesis suggests attraction to or difficulty disengaging from stimuli in the non-neglected hemispace.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of stimuli in the non-neglected hemispace on performance in patients with hemispatial neglect.
- To differentiate between explanations of neglect based on impaired attention versus stimulus-driven interference.
Main Methods:
- Ten patients diagnosed with hemispatial neglect participated.
- Two versions of a line cancellation test were administered: a drawing-over task (marking) and an erasing task.
- Omission errors were compared between the two task conditions.
Main Results:
- Significantly more omission errors were observed in the drawing-over (marking) task compared to the erasing task.
- This indicates improved performance when stimuli are removed rather than marked.
Conclusions:
- The findings support the role of stimuli in the non-neglected hemispace in exacerbating hemispatial neglect.
- Hemispatial neglect may be influenced by the presence of competing stimuli, suggesting a role for stimulus disengagement or attraction.