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Abnormal temporal dynamics of visual attention in spatial neglect patients

Author

Listed:
  • Masud Husain

    (Charing Cross Hospital)

  • Kimron Shapiro

    (University of Wales)

  • Jesse Martin

    (University of Wales)

  • Christopher Kennard

    (Charing Cross Hospital)

Abstract

WHEN we identify a visual object such as a word or letter, our ability to detect a second object is impaired if it appears within 400ms of the first1–5. This phenomenon has been termed the attentional blink or dwell time and is a measure of our ability to allocate attention over time (temporal attention). Patients with unilateral visual neglect are unaware of people or objects con-tralateral to their lesion6,7. They are considered to have a disorder of attending to a particular location in space (spatial attention)6–11. Here we examined the non-spatial temporal dynamics of attention in patients, using a protocol for assessing the attentional blink. Neglect patients with right parietal, frontal or basal ganglia strokes had an abnormally severe and protracted attentional blink. When they identified a letter, their awareness of a subsequent letter was significantly diminished for a length of time that was three times as long as for individuals without neglect. Our results demonstrate for the first time that visual neglect is a disorder of directing attention in time, as well as space.

Suggested Citation

  • Masud Husain & Kimron Shapiro & Jesse Martin & Christopher Kennard, 1997. "Abnormal temporal dynamics of visual attention in spatial neglect patients," Nature, Nature, vol. 385(6612), pages 154-156, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:385:y:1997:i:6612:d:10.1038_385154a0
    DOI: 10.1038/385154a0
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    Cited by:

    1. Elena S. Gorbunova & Maria Falikman, 2017. "Visual Search for Letters in the Right vs. Left Visual Hemifields: The Role of Perceptual Load and Set," HSE Working papers WP BRP 73/PSY/2017, National Research University Higher School of Economics.

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