Visual neglect associated with frontal lobe infarction

Five patients with left-sided visual neglect following focal infarction of the right frontal lobe are presented. Lesion location was assessed using computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. The common area of lesion overlap was small, being confined to the dorsal aspect of the inferior frontal gyrus (Brodmann's area 44) and the immediate underlying white matter. This cortical region is part of the homologue of Broca's area in the right hemisphere and is considered to be part of human premotor cortex. The association of neglect with injury to this area suggests it may play an important role in directing attention in visual space.