Grant: Doctoral Award - Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarships

Background & Objective: Hemispatial neglect is defined as a failure to attend to the contralesional side of space in patients who have suffered a stroke. In other words, neglect causes an individual to behave as if one side of sensory space (the side opposite to the hemisphere of their stroke) is nonexistent. Neglect can be divided into two subtypes; Egocentric neglect results in inattention to stimuli presented on one side of the body, while allocentric neglect is shown by inattention to elements on one side of individual objects. Few studies have reached agreement on the assessment, frequency, or prognosis of neglect as they relate to these subtypes. Furthermore, there is no existing research that has investigated potential differences in recovery rate and functional outcome between patients with either allocentric or egocentric neglect. It is the goal of this research to shed light on these important issues. Method: Stroke patients with neglect symptoms will be administered full neuropsychological assessment batteries to assess cognitive functioning and functional independence in daily living. Neglect subtype will be assessed using previously validated tests in conjunction with novel eye-tracking technology. Follow-up testing will be conducted 6 months post-stroke, with primary outcome variables including persistence of neglect symptoms and functional independence level. Correlational analyses will be conducted to examine whether neglect subtype can predict prognosis and functional outcome for stroke patients. Implications: Investigating the assessment, frequency, and functional outcome implications of the subtypes of neglect is a vital step toward improving our understanding of this common and debilitating condition. This study will provide novel information as to how allocentric and egocentric neglect might differentially impact patients' recovery and ultimate quality of life, with the potential to inform improved rehabilitative treatment planning for patients.