Hemineglect is a little-known but fascinating neurological disorder that affects people's visual perception, causing a lack of awareness on one side of space. For those who suffer from this condition, the world is very different from how the rest of us see it. In this article we will explore in detail what hemineglect is, how it manifests, its causes, diagnosis and treatment. Join us on this journey to the unknown world of those who see without looking!
What is hemineglect?
Hemineglect, too Known as hemispheric neglect, it is a disorder of visual perception that commonly occurs after brain injury, especially in the right hemisphere of the brain. People with hemineglect experience a lack of awareness or attention on one side of space, usually the left side, although it can also occur on the right side.
It is important to note that hemineglect does not It is the same as blindness in one eye, as affected people may have functional vision in both eyes, but their attention is automatically and subconsciously diverted from the affected side. This can cause a series of difficulties in daily activities, such as reading, drawing, dressing or even colliding with objects that are in your visual field but that are not perceived.
Symptoms and manifestations of hemineglect
Symptoms of hemineglect can vary in intensity and presentation, but some of the most common include:
- Ignoring objects or people on the affected side.
- Not paying attention to the middle of the body (for example, not washing or dressing properly on the neglected side).
- Not eating food from the affected side of the plate.
- Not recognizing oneself in the mirror (hemiasomatognosia).
- Drawing only half of an object or copying only half of an image.
It is important to note that people with hemineglect do not They are aware of their deficits and may deny any problems, making them difficult to detect without specialized evaluation by health professionals.
Causes of hemineglect
Hemineglect is usually associated with acquired brain injuries, such as strokes, head injuries, tumors or neurodegenerative diseases. The location of the lesion in the right hemisphere of the brain, particularly in regions such as the parietal lobe, temporal lobe or subcortical structures, is usually linked to the development of hemineglect.
The dominant theory to explain the hemineglect is that a functional disconnection occurs between the areas in charge of attention and visual perception, which causes a lack of adequate integration of sensory information in the brain. This results in the "neglect" of one side of the space, without the person being aware of this omission.
Diagnosis of hemineglect
The diagnosis of hemineglect can This can be challenging as sufferers may not be aware of their condition and therefore may not proactively report their symptoms. Health care professionals, primarily neurologists, neuropsychologists, and physical therapists, use a variety of tests and evaluations to detect the presence and degree of hemineglect in patients.
Some of the most common diagnostic methods include tests visual exploration, such as the line cancellation test and the halving test (dividing the image into two equal parts), as well as orientation and space exploration evaluations. Additionally, observing the patient's behavior in daily activities can provide important clues about the presence of hemineglect.
Treatment and rehabilitation of hemineglect
Treatment of hemineglect focuses on the rehabilitation and compensation of perceptual and attentional deficits experienced by affected people. Some of the most commonly used strategies in hemineglect rehabilitation include:
- Visual exploration training: Patients are taught to actively explore the neglected side and direct their attention towards that space.
- Mirror therapy: Use of mirrors to reflect the affected side and train attention towards that area of space.
- Attention exercises: Activities to improve spatial awareness and selective attention on the neglected side.
- Occupational therapy: Teaching strategies for carrying out life activities daily in an adaptive and functional manner.
It is essential that the rehabilitation of hemineglect is carried out by an interdisciplinary team of health professionals, which includes neurologists, psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists. and speech therapists, with the goal of comprehensively addressing the individual needs of each patient.
In summary, hemineglect is a fascinating disorder that challenges our understanding of visual perception and attention. Although it can present significant difficulties in the daily lives of affected people, with proper diagnosis and treatment, it is possible to improve the quality of life and functionality of those who suffer from this curious phenomenon of "seeing without looking".