Patterns of dissociation between left hemineglect and deviation of the egocentric reference.

Sixteen control subjects and six right brain-damaged patients with left hemiparesis (three showing signs of left unilateral neglect, three with no signs of neglect) performed a straight-ahead pointing task with their right hand while blindfolded. The aim was to test the hypothesis that the egocentric reference shows significant ipsilesional deviation in left neglect patients. We found no correlation between the position of the egocentric reference and the presence of neglect signs. Neglect patients, like non-neglect patients, showed leftward, rightward or no significant deviation when pointing straight ahead. Results are discussed with reference to egocentric hypotheses of neglect and experimental remission of neglect.