Koji Shigeno

Factor analysis of the components of 12 standard test batteries, for unilateral spatial neglect, reveals that they contain a number of discrete and important clinical variables

The aim of this study was to investigate a conventional battery of tests capable of assessing the presence of the component and extent of the lesions in patients with unilateral spatial neglect. Ninety-four patients who had unilateral spatial neglect with a stroke in right hemisphere were assessed on 12 traditional neglect batteries 4 weeks after the onset. Computerized tomography was also performed to investigate the possible anatomical relationships with each neglect battery. Factor analysis showed that the tests loaded significantly on five factors. There are not only visual scanning factors but also factors of imaging, visual judgement, visual cognition and effectiveness from left hemisphere in the unilateral spatial neglect. There are high correlations between each neuropsychological test and neglect batteries. Furthermore, lesions in the paraventricular white matter were associated with clock and person drawing tasks. Lesions in the occipital lobe were associated with reading, explaining and visual counting tasks. Lesions in the temporal lobe and the posterior limb of the internal capsule were associated with line bisection tasks. It is suggested that it is possible that there are some different components in unilateral spatial neglect. Failure in some tasks may predict different lesions in terms which include localization.