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Current Neurology and Neuroscience... Aug 2020Gerstmann (left angular gyrus) syndrome includes the tetrad of finger agnosia (inability to distinguish, name, and recognize the fingers), agraphia (acquired disturbance... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Gerstmann (left angular gyrus) syndrome includes the tetrad of finger agnosia (inability to distinguish, name, and recognize the fingers), agraphia (acquired disturbance in the ability to write), acalculia (loss of the ability to perform arithmetical operations and use numerical concepts), and right-left disorientation (right-left discrimination defect when using language). There is some disagreement regarding its exact localization, but it most likely involves the left angular gyrus with a probable subcortical extension. This article reviews recent research on the clinical aspects of this syndrome.
RECENT FINDINGS
During the last years, just some few new reports of Gerstmann syndrome are found in neurological and neuropsychological literature. Most of the reports are single-case reports. An association between Gerstmann syndrome and the so-called semantic aphasia has been pointed out. Two different explanations to this unusual syndrome have been recently proposed: (1) the pathological process is located in the left parietal white matter disconnecting separate cortical networks and (2) it represents a disturbance in the ability to verbally mediate some spatial knowledge. Although Gerstmann syndrome continues as a controversial syndrome, and most of the reports are single case reports, recently two different explanations have been advance the understanding of this polemic but fascinating syndrome.
Topics: Agnosia; Gerstmann Syndrome; Humans
PubMed: 32852667
DOI: 10.1007/s11910-020-01069-9 -
Handbook of Clinical Neurology 2021The term visual agnosia is used to refer to recognition disorders that are confined to the visual modality, that are not due to an impairment in sensory functions, and...
The term visual agnosia is used to refer to recognition disorders that are confined to the visual modality, that are not due to an impairment in sensory functions, and that cannot be explained by other cognitive deficits or by general reduction in intellectual ability. Here, we describe the different types of visual agnosia that have been reported (form agnosia, integrative agnosia, associative agnosia, transformational and orientation agnosia as well as category-specific impairments such as pure alexia and prosopagnosia) and how they relate to the current understanding of visual object recognition. Together with related disorders such as simultanagnosia, texture agnosia, aphantasia, and optic aphasia, these visual perceptual impairments can have severe consequences for those affected. We suggest how in-depth assessment can be carried out to determine the type and the extent of these impairments. In the context of clinical assessment, a step-by-step approach reflecting a posterior to anterior gradient in visual object recognition, from more perceptual to more memory-related processes, is suggested. Individually tailored interventions targeting the identified impairments can be initiated based on the results of the assessment.
Topics: Agnosia; Cognition Disorders; Humans; Neuropsychological Tests; Orientation; Visual Perception
PubMed: 33832675
DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-12-821377-3.00008-8 -
Brain : a Journal of Neurology Oct 2021
Review
Topics: Agnosia; Humans; Imagination; Pattern Recognition, Visual; Visual Cortex; Visual Perception
PubMed: 33856025
DOI: 10.1093/brain/awab159 -
Cortex; a Journal Devoted To the Study... Nov 2020
Topics: Humans; Pattern Recognition, Visual; Prosopagnosia; Recognition, Psychology
PubMed: 32951850
DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2020.08.010 -
Neuropsychological Rehabilitation Dec 2019Visual agnosia and Balint's syndrome are complex neurological disorders of the higher visual system that can have a remarkable impact on individuals' lives.... (Review)
Review
Visual agnosia and Balint's syndrome are complex neurological disorders of the higher visual system that can have a remarkable impact on individuals' lives. Rehabilitation of these individuals is important to enable participation in everyday activities despite the impairment. However, the literature about the rehabilitation of these disorders is virtually silent. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review is to give an overview of available literature describing treatment approaches and their effectiveness with regard to these disorders. The search engines Psychinfo, Amed, and Medline were used, resulting in 22 articles meeting the criteria for inclusion. Only articles describing acquired disorders were considered. These articles revealed that there is some information available on the major subtypes of visual agnosia as well as on Balint's syndrome which practising clinicians can consult for guidance. With regard to the type of rehabilitation, compensatory strategies have proven to be beneficial in most of the cases. Restorative training on the other hand has produced mixed results. Concluding, although still scarce, a scientific foundation about the rehabilitation of visual agnosia and Balint's syndrome is evolving. The available approaches give valuable information that can be built upon in the future.
Topics: Agnosia; Humans; Prosopagnosia; Treatment Outcome; Vision Disorders; Visual Perception
PubMed: 29366371
DOI: 10.1080/09602011.2017.1422272 -
Reviews in the Neurosciences Aug 2021The sudden and storming onset of coronavirus 2 infection (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2]) was associated by severe acute respiratory... (Review)
Review
The sudden and storming onset of coronavirus 2 infection (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2]) was associated by severe acute respiratory syndrome. Recently, corona virus disease 19 (COVID-19) has appeared as a pandemic throughout the world. The mutational nature of the virus, along with the different means of entering and spreading throughout the body has involved different organs. Thus, patients are faced with a wide range of symptoms and signs. Neurological symptoms, such as anosmia, agnosia, stroke, paralysis, cranial nerve deficits, encephalopathy, meningitis, delirium and seizures, are reported as common complications affecting the course of the disease and its treatment. In this review, special attention was paid to reports that addressed the acute or chronic neurological manifestations in COVID-19 patients who may present acute respiratory syndrome or not. Moreover, we discussed the central (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) complications in SARS-Cov2-infected patients, and also the pathophysiology of neurological abnormalities in COVID-19.
Topics: Brain; COVID-19; Humans; Nervous System Diseases; RNA, Viral; SARS-CoV-2; Seizures; Stroke
PubMed: 33583157
DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2020-0116 -
Annals of Neurology Sep 2023Unawareness of a deficit, anosognosia, can occur for visual or motor deficits and lends insight into awareness itself; however, lesions associated with anosognosia occur...
OBJECTIVE
Unawareness of a deficit, anosognosia, can occur for visual or motor deficits and lends insight into awareness itself; however, lesions associated with anosognosia occur in many different brain locations.
METHODS
We analyzed 267 lesion locations associated with either vision loss (with and without awareness) or weakness (with and without awareness). The network of brain regions connected to each lesion location was computed using resting-state functional connectivity from 1,000 healthy subjects. Both domain specific and cross-modal associations with awareness were identified.
RESULTS
The domain-specific network for visual anosognosia demonstrated connectivity to visual association cortex and posterior cingulate while motor anosognosia was defined by insula, supplementary motor area, and anterior cingulate connectivity. A cross-modal anosognosia network was defined by connectivity to the hippocampus and precuneus (false discovery rate p < 0.05).
INTERPRETATION
Our results identify distinct network connections associated with visual and motor anosognosia and a shared, cross-modal network for awareness of deficits centered on memory-related brain structures. ANN NEUROL 2023;94:434-441.
Topics: Humans; Awareness; Brain; Agnosia; Cerebral Cortex; Gyrus Cinguli; Magnetic Resonance Imaging
PubMed: 37289520
DOI: 10.1002/ana.26709