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Motor neglect associated with a discrete parietal lesion
W J Triggs1, M Gold, G Gerstle
1Department of Neurology, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610.
Neurology
|June 1, 1994
Summary
Pure motor neglect, a disorder of intentional movement, can result from specific left parietal lobe lesions. This finding challenges previous assumptions linking motor neglect solely to broader brain damage.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Motor neglect is typically associated with damage to frontal, subcortical, or parietal brain regions.
- Pure motor neglect, without sensory or visuospatial deficits, has not been previously linked to isolated parietal lobe lesions.
Observation:
- A 79-year-old man presented with right-sided limb akinesia and motor neglect.
- Neuroimaging revealed a left posterior parietal infarct, sparing the primary sensorimotor cortex.
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation confirmed intact motor cortex function.
Findings:
- The patient exhibited pure motor neglect, characterized by limb akinesia and lack of intentional movement.
- The observed deficits were independent of any sensory impairments or visuospatial neglect.
Implications:
- This case demonstrates that a discrete lesion within the parietal lobe can cause a pure motor intentional disorder.
- It suggests that specific parietal areas play a crucial role in motor planning and execution, separate from sensory processing.