Hemispatial neglect - definition

AKA contralateral neglect, a condition that can occur after damage to one of the cerebral hemispheres (e.g., from a stroke). It is most frequently associated with damage to the posterior parietal cortex in the right cerebral hemisphere. Hemispatial neglect involves a deficit in attention paid to one side of the visual field, usually the side that is contralateral to the damage. It can result in the individual not attending to stimuli in that area to the extent that he does not seem to be aware of such stimuli. For example, if an individual with hemispatial neglect is asked to draw a clock, he may only draw numbers on half of the clock's face as he is incapable of attending to the other half of his visual field.

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Know your brain: Posterior parietal cortex

EXAMPLE OF WHAT A CLOCK MIGHT LOOK LIKE IF DRAWN BY A CONTRALATERAL NEGLECT PATIENT. — Example of what a clock might look like if drawn by a contralateral neglect patient.

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