Factor analysis of the components of 12 standard test batteries, for unilateral spatial neglect, reveals that they contain a number of discrete and important clinical variables

The aim of this study was to investigate a conventional battery of tests ca pable of assessing the presence of the component and extent of the lesions in patients with unilateral spatial neglect. Ninety-four patients who had u nilateral spatial neglect with a stroke in right hemisphere were assessed o n 12 traditional neglect batteries 4 weeks after the onset. Computerized to mography was also performed to investigate the possible anatomical relation ships with each neglect battery. Factor analysis showed that the tests load ed significantly on five factors. There are not only visual scanning factor s but also factors of imaging, visual judgement, visual cognition and effec tiveness from left hemisphere in the unilateral spatial neglect. There are high correlations between each neuropsychological test and neglect batterie s. Furthermore, lesions in the paraventricular white matter were associated with clock and person drawing tasks. Lesions in the occipital lobe were as sociated with reading, explaining and visual counting tasks. Lesions in the temporal lobe and the posterior limb of the internal capsule were associat ed with line bisection tasks. It is suggested that it is possible that ther e are some different components in unilateral spatial neglect. Failure in s ome tasks may predict different lesions in terms which include localization .