The Japanese journal of neuropsychology

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ArticleTitle	Anosognosia for hemiplegia/hemiparesis and the insula
Language	J
AuthorList	Hisaaki Ota
Affiliation	Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Sciences, Sapporo Medical University
Publication	Japanese Journal of Neuropsychology: 30 (1), 56-60, 2014
Received
Accepted
Abstract	Studies of anosognosia for hemiplegia/hemiparesis (AHP/P) are reviewed to understand its responsible area. Some lesion analysis studies showed that the damage in the right insular cortex and its subcortical area is responsible for AHP/P symptom though the center of it is slightly different depending on studies. Using superimposing analysis technique, one study found that its posterior part is the center of the common lesion and the other showed its anterior part is the most overlapped area. Another study revealed that damage in its anterior part is critical for occurrence of AHP/P just after stroke and if the damaged area is extended to the frontal, parietal, and temporal lobes, the symptom lasts longer. It is unknown, however, whether the lesion in the frontal part of the right insula and its subcortical structures is corresponded to its dysfunctional area. To clarify the responsible area, it might be helpful to adopt a technique of functional brain imaging analysis. In addition, evaluation scales for AHP/P symptom also should be considered for lesion and brain functional analyses because each scale contains different characteristics of questions.
Keywords	anosognosia for hemiplegia/hemiparesis, the right insula, lesion analysis, evaluation