Right unilateral spatial neglect of the left brain-damaged patients.

Right unilateral spatial neglect (USN) was investigated on three left brain-damaged patients suffering from the right homonymous hemianopsia and hemiplegia. A test battery consisted of visuo-constructive praxis; 1) putting blocks into a box, 2) bisecting a horizontal line, 3) figure drawing, 4) drawing of a dial plate and 5) copying drawing. The investigation revealed that USN of left brain-damaged patients resulted from 1) generally impaired mental function, 2) right unilateral sensory deprivation and 3) right hemiplegia. It was guessed that, as for a patient with right homonymous hemianopsia and hemiplegia, his attention would be attracted toward the left hand, and then he would be apt to neglect the right side. Right USN was not so prominent compared with the left one of right hemispheric lesion. However, it is suggested that if clinicians examine carefully the visuo-constructive function in addition to aphasia on left brain-damaged patients, right USN appears greater in some cases.