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Acta Neurologica Scandinavica Nov 2006This review provides an update on recent research findings concerning the methods used in the assessment of anosognosia, the occurrence and subtypes of anosognosia, the... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
This review provides an update on recent research findings concerning the methods used in the assessment of anosognosia, the occurrence and subtypes of anosognosia, the association between anosognosia and neglect, and the impact of anosognosias on functional outcome.
METHODS
A systematic review covering the period from 1995 to 2005 was carried out on reports drawn from electronic databases (MEDLINE, PSYCHLIT) and identified from the references in these reports. Twenty-seven articles met the selection criteria.
RESULTS
The results of this review are in line with previous findings in the following respects: anosognosia was more often associated with right hemisphere damage, neglect and anosognosia co-occurred, and anosognosia had predictive value on poor functional outcome. The variation in the methods used in the assessment of anosognosia, patient samples and assessment times influence the occurrence rates and the predictive value of anosognosia, which might undermine the generalizability of the results.
CONCLUSIONS
More homogeneous patient samples and consistency in the assessment methods and evaluation times would facilitate comparisons of the occurrence and the impact of anosognosia on functional outcome. New methods need to be developed for the assessment of anosognosia. These new methods should take account of the subtypes of anosognosia both at verbal and at non-verbal levels.
Topics: Agnosia; Cerebral Cortex; Disability Evaluation; Functional Laterality; Humans; Neurologic Examination; Neuropsychological Tests; Perceptual Disorders; Predictive Value of Tests; Prognosis; Stroke
PubMed: 17022776
DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0404.2006.00723.x -
Cortex; a Journal Devoted To the Study... Dec 2014This review provides an overview of research into anosognosia after stroke over the past 35 years. We are specifically interested in the assessment of anosognosia in... (Review)
Review
This review provides an overview of research into anosognosia after stroke over the past 35 years. We are specifically interested in the assessment of anosognosia in group studies and in how any changes in assessment procedures have impacted the study of anognosia. Our work is based on a systematic review of reports drawn from electronic databases covering the period from 1978 to 2013 (CINAHL, PubMedMEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Knowledge). Sixty-four articles met the selection criteria. The results of our review show that a deeper understanding has evolved of the multifaceted syndrome of anosognosia during the past decade. The most recent studies made more extensive use of research, observational and performance-based procedures as well as traditional interview methods. Modality specificities and patients with language impairment also receive closer consideration than earlier. Furthermore, the results are more often obtained from homogeneous patient groups. The limitations of recent anosognosia research include the diversity of assessment methods used and the variation in the assessment times between and within patient groups, and the tendency to rely on only 1 method to assess and diagnose anosognosia. In order to improve the comparability of anosognosia studies it would be useful to have guidelines for the number and type of assessment methods used in studying different subtypes of anosognosia, and to focus on homogeneous patient samples. Furthermore, it is recommended that more research be done to explore chronic anosognosia and its impact on daily living.
Topics: Agnosia; Awareness; Diagnosis, Differential; Functional Laterality; Hemiplegia; Humans; Stroke
PubMed: 24912851
DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2014.04.008 -
Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and... Sep 2021Awareness of the diagnosis or related changes in functioning varies in people with dementia (PwD), with implications for the well-being of PwD and their carers....
BACKGROUND
Awareness of the diagnosis or related changes in functioning varies in people with dementia (PwD), with implications for the well-being of PwD and their carers. Measuring awareness in a clinical setting could facilitate tailored support and optimize involvement in personal health and care decisions. This scoping review aimed to identify validated methods of assessing awareness in dementia and appraise their clinical utility.
METHOD
A systematic search was conducted of English-language publications that measured awareness in PwD, in 6 electronic databases. Search terms included dement*, Alzheimer*, Pick disease, and awareness, unawareness, anosognosia, insight, denial, metacognit*, or discrepanc*.
RESULTS
We screened 30,634 articles, finding 345 articles that met our inclusion criteria. We identified 76 measures, most commonly using a discrepancy questionnaire comparing evaluations of function by PwD and an informant. There were 30 awareness measures developed and validated for use in dementia populations but few designed for general clinical use.
CONCLUSIONS
Although we found a range of clinical indications for measuring awareness, there were few studies investigating clinical applications and few tools designed for clinical purposes. Further investigation and development of a person-centered tool could facilitate health and care choices in mild-to-moderate dementia.
Topics: Agnosia; Caregivers; Dementia; Humans; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 32400259
DOI: 10.1177/0891988720924717 -
Brain : a Journal of Neurology Dec 2007Anosognosia is the lack of awareness or the underestimation of a specific deficit in sensory, perceptual, motor, affective or cognitive functioning due to a brain... (Review)
Review
Anosognosia is the lack of awareness or the underestimation of a specific deficit in sensory, perceptual, motor, affective or cognitive functioning due to a brain lesion. This self-awareness deficit has been studied mainly in stroke hemiplegic patients, who may report no deficit, overestimate their abilities or deny that they are unable to move a paretic limb. In this review, a detailed search of the literature was conducted to illustrate clinical manifestations, pathogenetic models, diagnostic procedures and unresolved issues in anosognosia for motor impairment after stroke. English and French language papers spanning the period January 1990-January 2007 were selected using PubMed Services and utilizing research words stroke, anosognosia, awareness, denial, unawareness, hemiplegia. Papers reporting sign-based definitions, neurological and neuropsychological data and the results of clinical trials or historical trends in diagnosis were chosen. As a result, a very complex and multifaceted phenomenon emerges, whose variable behavioural manifestations often produce uncertainties in conceptual definitions and diagnostic procedures. Although a number of questionnaires and diagnostic methods have been developed to assess anosognosia following stroke in the last 30 years, they are often limited by insufficient discriminative power or a narrow focus on specific deficits. As a consequence, epidemiological estimates are variable and incidence rates have ranged from 7 to 77% in stroke. In addition, the pathogenesis of anosognosia is widely debated. The most recent neuropsychological models have suggested a defect in the feedforward system, while neuro-anatomical studies have consistently reported on the involvement of the right cerebral hemisphere, particularly the prefrontal and parieto-temporal cortex, as well as insula and thalamus. We highlight the need for a multidimensional assessment procedure and suggest some potentially productive directions for future research about unawareness of illness.
Topics: Agnosia; Awareness; Brain; Brain Mapping; Denial, Psychological; Hemiplegia; Humans; Stroke
PubMed: 17533170
DOI: 10.1093/brain/awm106 -
International Archives of Medicine Apr 2013Amusia, a music-specific agnosia, is a disorder of pitch interval analysis and pitch direction change recognition which results in a deficit in musical ability. The full...
BACKGROUND
Amusia, a music-specific agnosia, is a disorder of pitch interval analysis and pitch direction change recognition which results in a deficit in musical ability. The full range of aetiological factors which cause this condition is unknown, as is each cause's frequency. The objective of this study was to identify all causes of amusia, and to measure each of their frequencies.
DESIGN
systematic review was conducted by search of multiple databases for articles related to the aetiology of amusic auditory dysfunction. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for reporting of systematic reviews were followed, utilizing the PRISMA checklist and PRISMA flowchart methodology.
SETTING
Retrospective medical database review.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
evidence yielded from the systematic review process.
RESULTS
The initial search protocol identified 5723 articles. Application of a classification review filter and exclusion of irrelevant or duplicates led to the initial identification of 56 relevant studies which detailed 301 patients. However, these studies were of poor quality. Because of this, synthesis and statistical analysis were not appropriate.
CONCLUSION
Although initially a large number of relevant studies were identified, and might point in future to potential diagnostic categories, it was not appropriate to synthesise and analyse them due to poor quality, considerable heterogeneity and small numbers. This suggests that large, high quality studies focussed directly on understanding the aetiology of amusia are required.
PubMed: 23618339
DOI: 10.1186/1755-7682-6-16 -
Journal of Clinical Neuroscience :... Feb 2024Anosognosia, a neurological condition, involves a lack of awareness of one's neurological or psychiatric deficits. Anton Syndrome (AS), an unusual form of anosognosia,... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Anosognosia, a neurological condition, involves a lack of awareness of one's neurological or psychiatric deficits. Anton Syndrome (AS), an unusual form of anosognosia, manifests as bilateral vision loss coupled with denial of blindness. This systematic review delves into 64 studies encompassing 72 AS cases to explore demographics, clinical presentations, treatments, and outcomes.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study rigorously followed PRISMA guidelines, screening PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases without timeframe limitations. Only English human studies providing full text were included. Data underwent thorough assessment, examining patient demographics, etiological variables, and treatment modalities.
RESULTS
Sixty-four studies met the stringent inclusion criteria. Examining 72 AS cases showed a median age of 55 (6 to 96 years) with no gender preference. Hypertension (34.7 %) and visual anosognosia (90.3 %) were prevalent. Stroke (40.3 %) topped causes. Management included supportive (30.6 %) and causal approaches (30.6 %). Improvement was seen in 45.8 %, unchanged in 22.2 %, and deterioration in 11.1 %. Anticoagulation correlated with higher mortality (p < 0.05).
DISCUSSION
AS, an unusual manifestation of blindness, stems mainly from occipital lobe damage, often due to cerebrovascular incidents. The syndrome shares features with Dide-Botcazo syndrome and dates back to Roman times. Its causes range from strokes to rare conditions like multiple sclerosis exacerbation. Accurate diagnosis involves considering clinical presentations and imaging studies, distinguishing AS from similar conditions.
CONCLUSION
This comprehensive review sheds light on AS's complex landscape, emphasizing diverse etiologies, clinical features, and treatment options. Tailored treatments aligned with individual causes are crucial. The study's findings caution against blanket anticoagulation therapy, suggesting a nuanced approach. Further research is pivotal to refine diagnostics and optimize care for AS individuals.
Topics: Humans; Middle Aged; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Blindness, Cortical; Brain; Stroke; Vision Disorders; Agnosia
PubMed: 38262263
DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2024.01.014 -
Arquivos de Neuro-psiquiatria Apr 2021Anosognosia, i.e. lack of awareness of one's own symptoms, is a very common finding in patients with dementia and is related to neuropsychiatric symptoms and worse...
BACKGROUND
Anosognosia, i.e. lack of awareness of one's own symptoms, is a very common finding in patients with dementia and is related to neuropsychiatric symptoms and worse prognosis. Although dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is the second most common form of degenerative dementia, literature on anosognosia in this disease is scarce.
OBJECTIVES
This paper aimed to review the current evidence on anosognosia in patients with DLB, including its prevalence in comparison with other neurological conditions, its severity and anatomical correlations.
METHODS
Database searches were performed in PubMed, Web of Knowledge and PsycINFO for articles assessing anosognosia in DLB. A total of 243 studies were retrieved, but only six were included in the review.
RESULTS
Potential risk of selection, comparison or outcome biases were detected in relation to all the studies selected. Most of the studies used self-report memory questionnaires to assess cognitive complaints and compared their results to scores from informant-based instruments or to participants' cognitive performance in neuropsychological tasks. Subjects with DLB had worse awareness regarding memory than healthy older controls, but the results concerning differences in anosognosia between DLB and Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients were inconsistent across studies. Presence of AD pathology and neuroimaging biomarkers appeared to increase the prevalence of anosognosia in individuals with DLB.
CONCLUSION
Anosognosia is a common manifestation of DLB, but it is not clear how its prevalence and severity compare with AD. Co-existence of AD pathology seems to play a role in memory deficit awareness in DLB.
Topics: Agnosia; Alzheimer Disease; Biomarkers; Humans; Lewy Body Disease; Neuroimaging; Neuropsychological Tests
PubMed: 34133514
DOI: 10.1590/0004-282X-ANP-2020-0247