Anosognosia for Motor and Cognitive Deficit as a Clinical Manifestation of Ischemic Stroke: Review of Literature
Objective of the Review: To present data from the latest research studies focusing on anosognosia for neurological deficit in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Key Points: Anosognosia for motor and cognitive deficit is a quite common disorder in acute ischemic stroke patients. This condition is of interest for neurologists because it manifests itself in an unusual way and has a negative impact on patients' medical rehabilitation. The understanding of the pathophysiology of anosognosia and its neuroanatomical underpinnings is changing and improving. New information about approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of this condition is becoming available, making this review timely. Conclusion: Patients with acute ischemic stroke may have reduced perception of their neurological deficit and cognitive, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Hemispatial neglect is the most common cognitive disorder associated with anosognosia for paralysis. Medical rehabilitation of post-stroke patients with anosognosia is challenging and requires the participation of a multidisciplinary team and a differentiated approach, tailored to the type of anosognosia. At present, rehabilitation specialists have started discussing the possibility of therapeutic application of instrumental investigation techniques, such as caloric vestibular stimulation and transcranial brain stimulation, in addition to cognitive behavioral therapy.