Gail A. Eskes, PhD
Department of Psychology,
Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre Assistant Professor,
Psychiatry and Medicine (Neurology),
Adjunct Professor, Psychology,
Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS.
Beverly C. Butler, BSc
Department of Psychology,
Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS.
Introduction
Unilateral neglect is a cognitive and behavioural syndrome after brain damage that can have serious consequences for patient recovery, rehabilitation success and long-term reintegration to independent living. Outcome studies commonly identify neglect and related sequelae as significant predictors of poor outcome in stroke patients in terms of increased need for assistance in self-care activities and decreased quality of life.
Definition and Clinical Presentation
Unilateral neglect is most commonly defined as a failure to orient, report or respond to stimuli located in the space or body contralateral to a brain lesion (often due to stroke or brain injury), despite adequate sensorimotor ability to do so.1 The neglect syndrome is fundamentally different from, although sometimes confused with, hemianopia, hemisensory loss or hemiplegia.
