Unilateral Neglect

Book excerpt: Unilateral neglect is a fairly common disorder, usually associated with a stroke, which results in a neglect or lack of attention to one side of space usually, but not exclusively, the left. Theoretically, it is one of the most interesting and important areas in neuropsychology; practically, it is one of the greatest therapeutic problems facing therapists and rehabilitationists. This book covers all aspects of the disorder, from an historical survey of research to date, through the nature and anatomical bases of neglect, and on to review contemporary theories on the subject. The final section covers behavioural and physical remediation. A greater understanding of unilateral neglect will have important implications not just for this particular disorder but for the understanding of brain function as a whole.