Visuospatial processing: a review from basic to current concepts / Processamento visuoespacial: uma revisão de conceitos básicos a atuais

INTRODUCTION: Visuospatial processing is a fundamental aspect in human cognition, belonging to a complex and intricate network. It is, in other words, one of the building blocks of an individual's identity and behavior. OBJECTIVE: To allow an overall and updated review of visuospatial processing and its related events, in light of new techniques and evidence, focusing on basic concepts of higher cortical functions, its pathways and associated systems. METHODS: The study was conducted based on the national and international databases LILACS, MEDLINE, ScieLo and Pubmed; using the search word "visuospatial" in combination with "pathway", "processing", "function", "fMRI" and "attention". RESULTS: A total of 77 references deemed relevant for its historical, conceptual or updated relevance were selected out of 1222 retrieved; including English, Spanish and Portuguese languages. A critical review was carried out and many new aspects discussed. CONCLUSION: A new functioning and construction of sight processing is being shaped, culminating now in a model based on dynamic and integrated interactions between pathways and systems.

INTRODUÇÃO. O processamento visuoespacial é um aspecto fundamental da cognição humana, pertencendo a uma complexa e intricada rede. É, em outras palavras, uma das pedras fundamentais da identidade e comportamento de um indivíduo. OBJETIVO: Permitir uma revisão geral e atualizada do processamento visuoespacial e seus eventos relacionados, à luz de novas técnicas e evidências, com foco em conceitos básicos da organização das funções corticais superiores, suas principais vias e sistemas envolvidos. MÉTODOS: O estudo foi conduzido em bases de dados nacionais e internacionais LILACS, MEDLINE, SciELO e PubMed; utilizando a palavra "visuoespacial" em combinação com "via", "processamento", "função", "fMRI" e "atenção". RESULTADOS: Um total de 77 referências consideradas relevantes por sua importância histórica, conceitual e atual foram selecionadas à partir de 1222, incluindo as línguas inglesa, espanhola e portuguesa. CONCLUSÃO: Uma nova construção e funcionamento do processamento visual estão sendo criados, culminando em um modelo baseado em interações dinâmicas e integradas entre vias e sistemas.

Lateralization of Cognitive Functions in Aphasia after Right Brain Damage

PURPOSE: The lateralization of cognitive functions in crossed aphasia in dextrals (CAD) has been explored and compared mainly with cases of aphasia with left hemisphere damage. However, comparing the neuropsychological aspects of CAD and aphasia after right brain damage in left-handers (ARL) could potentially provide more insights into the effect of a shift in the laterality of handedness or language on other cognitive organization. Thus, this case study compared two cases of CAD and one case of ARL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The following neuropsychological measures were obtained from three aphasic patients with right brain damage (two cases of CAD and one case of ARL); language, oral and limb praxis, and nonverbal cognitive functions (visuospatial neglect and visuospatial construction). RESULTS: All three patients showed impaired visuoconstructional abilities, whereas each patient showed a different level of performances for oral and limb praxis, and visuospatial neglect. CONCLUSION: Based on the analysis of these three aphasic patients' performances, we highlighted the lateralization of language, handedness, oral and limb praxis, visuospatial neglect and visuospatial constructive ability in aphasic patients with right brain damage.