Neglect

Neglect is a complex neuropsychological condition that is often associated with brain damage, particularly to the right hemisphere. It is characterized by the inability to pay attention to or respond to stimuli in the contralesional side of space. This can manifest in a variety of ways, including visual, auditory, and somatosensory neglect.

Definition

Neglect is defined as the failure to report, respond, or orient to novel or meaningful stimuli presented to the side opposite a brain lesion when this failure cannot be attributed to either sensory or motor defects. The condition is most commonly associated with damage to the right hemisphere of the brain, which can result from a variety of causes including stroke, traumatic brain injury, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Symptoms

The symptoms of neglect can vary widely depending on the specific areas of the brain that are damaged. Common symptoms include:

• Visual neglect: Individuals with visual neglect may fail to acknowledge objects or people on their left side.
• Auditory neglect: Individuals with auditory neglect may fail to respond to sounds coming from their left side.
• Somatosensory neglect: Individuals with somatosensory neglect may fail to respond to touch or pain on their left side.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of neglect typically involves a combination of clinical observation and neuropsychological testing. Tests may include line bisection tasks, cancellation tasks, and drawing tasks. Neuroimaging techniques such as MRI and CT scan can also be used to identify the specific areas of the brain that are damaged.

Treatment

Treatment for neglect typically involves a multidisciplinary approach that may include occupational therapy, physical therapy, and cognitive rehabilitation. The goal of treatment is to improve the individual's ability to pay attention to and respond to stimuli in the neglected side of space.

See also

• Hemispatial neglect
• Spatial neglect
• Unilateral neglect

Neglect Resources
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