So near yet so far: Neglect in far or near space depends on tool use

The study of unilateral spatial neglect has shown that space can be dissoci ated on a peripersonal versus extrapersonal basis. We report a novel type o f dissociation based on tool use in a patient suffering from left neglect. Line bisection was carried out in near and far space, using a stick and a l aser pointer. A rightward bias was always found for the former, but not for the latter. Neglect thus appears to be contingent not only on distance, bu t also on the motor action required by the task.