Neuropsychological syndromes in right hemisphere stroke patients.

A specific set of syndromes, based on different intrahemispheric lesion locations, has not yet been described in patients with right hemisphere lesions. To explore whether statistically derived clusters could give clues to a syndrome structure, neuropsychological data from a sample of 106 patients with right hemisphere stroke were studied. CT data were available for 58 of the patients. Based on factor analysis of eight test and four ratings variables, six variables were chosen for a cluster analysis. A structure of 13 clusters was considered statistically valid. Combining clusters with parallel test profiles into main cluster classes, five right hemisphere syndromes proved clinically valid: an above average syndrome (n=46), denial perseverance (frontal) syndrome (n=14). a depressed mood syndrome (n= 14), a focal RH syndrome (n=18) and a global RH syndrome (n=9). It is suggested that syndromes are related to intrahemispheric location of the lesion, such as the extent of anterior and posterior damage.