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Optic ataxia following unilateral stroke
N Nagaratnam1, D Grice, H Kalouche
1Department of Medicine (Geriatrics) Blacktown, Mt Druitt Health, NSW, Australia.
Journal of the Neurological Sciences
|April 30, 1998
Summary
This study describes five patients with optic ataxia and tactile apraxia, experiencing difficulties with visually guided finger movements. Lesions in both posterior and anterior brain regions were linked to these visual-motor coordination deficits.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Optic ataxia is a condition characterized by difficulties in visually guided reaching.
- Tactile apraxia involves impairments in object recognition through touch.
- The posterior parietal cortex is known to be involved in visual-motor integration.
Observation:
- Five patients presented with optic ataxia and tactile apraxia.
- These patients also exhibited impaired finger movements under visual guidance.
- CT scans revealed lesions in either the posterior or anterior parietal regions.
Findings:
- Lesions in the posterior parietal region are associated with disrupted visual-guided movements.
- The study postulates that anterior parietal lesions can also cause similar visual-motor deficits.
- Optic ataxia may result from damage to the parieto-occipital region or its occipitofrontal connections.
Implications:
- This research expands the understanding of the neural substrates underlying optic ataxia.
- It suggests that anterior parietal areas play a crucial role in visual-motor control.
- Findings highlight the complex network involved in integrating visual and motor information.