KMS-1: Use of a circle monitor system for diagnosing symptoms of neglect

Study Description:
Neglect is a common syndrome after a stroke. Patients with neglect no longer perceive stimuli which are spatially contra lateral to the damaged hemisphere of the brain. In daily life this leads to serious limitations. Moreover, the occurrence of neglect is a negative predictor for expected patient recovery.

Currently, in addition to observing spontaneous behaviour, cross-out tasks ("paper and pencil" tests) are the main means of diagnosing neglect. The downside of these tasks is that they only test a small spatial area. In this study, new possibilities for diagnosing neglect were tested on a circle monitor. This system consisted of touch screens on which tasks could be presented and solved. We hoped that testing with this system will increase diagnostic accuracy since it addresses a much larger search field.

The aim of this study was to detect even mild symptoms which are not picked up by traditional tests but can be relevant in complex daily life situations. This would make goal-oriented treatment possible for affected patients. In the long term, we also wanted to use this technology to improve therapy for neglect patients by modeling tasks from everyday life.

Contact: Dr. Lena Ulm (WG Cerebrovascular Diseases, NCRC, Neurology CCM)

Principle Investigator: Prof. Dr. Andreas Meisel (WG Cerebrovascular Diseases, NCRC, CSB, Neurology CCM)

Participating cooperation partners: NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence (Prof. York Winter), Median Klinik Berlin-Kladow (Dr. Christian Dohle), Freie Universität Berlin, Department of Experimental Psychology and Neuropsychology (Prof. Michael Niedeggen), Berlin Center for Advanced Neuroimaging BCAN, and the graduate school Berlin School of Mind and Brain (Dr. Daniel S. Margulies).

Publication:
Ulm, L., D. Wohlrapp, M. Meinzer, R. Steinicke, A. Schatz, P. Denzler, J. Klehmet, C. Dohle, M. Niedeggen, A. Meisel, and Y. Winter. "A Circle-Monitor for Computerised Assessment of Visual Neglect in Peripersonal Space." PLoS One 8, no. 12 (2013): e82892. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0082892. Link