Abstract
The purpose of the present study is to reveal the relationship of localized and / or diffuse cerebral lesions to constructional abilities. The constructional abilities were examined by copying a cube, and brain lesions were estimated by planiometry on computed tomograms of brains of 144 patients.
The results are summarized as follows.
1. Patients with especially right posterior hemispheric lesions without diffuse brain damage showed marked constructional disabilities and left hemispatial neglect.
2. Constructional impairment associated with left brain damage without diffuse cerebral lesions were slight, but showed many mistakes on the right lower corner space.
3. Patients with unilateral cerebral lesions without diffuse cerebral damage showed a similarity in numbers of stroke lines used in copying the cube.
4. Patients with diffuse cerebral lesion also showed marked constructional impairment. Constructive disabilities associated with diffuse parietal lobe atrophy were characterized by recopying the same lines numerous times, left hemispatial neglect and perseveration. Patients with ventricular dilatation also showed constructional impairment, which are assumed to be influenced by abulia.
5. The influence of diffuse cerebral lesions on the constructional disablities are emphasized in relation to the evaluation of focal signs.
