Translation Research for the Rehabilitation of Left Spatial Neglect and Associated Disorders of Attention in Stroke Patients

The syndrome of unilateral neglect, typified by a lateralized attention bias and neglect of contralateral space, is an important cause of morbidity and disability after a stroke. In this review, we discuss the challenges that face researchers attempting to elucidate the mechanisms and effectiveness of rehabilitation treatments. The neglect syndrome is a heterogeneous disorder, and it is not clear which of its symptoms cause ongoing disability. We review current methods of neglect assessment and propose logical approaches to selecting treatments, while acknowledging that further study is still needed before some of these approaches can be translated into routine clinical use. We conclude with systems-level suggestions for hypothesis development that would hopefully form a sound theoretical basis for future approaches to the assessment and treatment of neglect.