Spatial Neglect Flashcards
Define: spatial neglect
An attentional disorder whereby individuals consistently fail to notice anything on either their left or right side
Why is spatial neglect attentional?
It causes them to ignore half of their world and is not caused by impaired sensory systems
REVIEW THIS
What is spatial neglect usually caused by?
Lesion on the brain caused by stroke, accident or disease (SAD) and NOT by impaired sensory systems
Where does damage causing spatial neglect usually occur?
At the posterior (back) of the right parietal lobe
CAN ALSO OCCUR on left, but is milder and rarer.
Is spatial neglect contralateral?give an example.
Yas
Eg. if right parietal lobe is damaged they may only read the right half of a word and neglect the left (“baseball” -> “ball”),
Does spatial neglect affect intelligence?
No
Can spatial neglect affect visualised memories and other senses (touch, hearing?)
Yes
Are patients unaware of their condition?
MOST, if not they are usually indifferent to it.
Does the extent of the symptoms depend on the severity and location of the brain damage?
Yes.
Does anyone know why the effects of spatial neglect occur and why they follow damage to the parietal lobe?
No
What does spatial neglect indicate about the right hemisphere and the right parietal lobe?
They both play an important role in spatial perception and conscious awareness of objects.
