Neuropsychology in Denmark

The origins and development of neuropsychology in Denmark are briefly overviewed, as are the education and training opportunities for Danish neuropsychologists. Areas of application and research are presented, and the role of the rehabilitation of brain injury is emphasized, with specific reference being made to the Center for the Rehabilitation of Brain Injury at Copenhagen University, wherein the rehabilitation program and pertinent research ensuing from the center is presented. Future trends in Danish neuropsychology are also considered.

Visual neglect in right-sided apoplectic lesions

Fifty-five patients with right-sided apoplectic brain lesions prospectively and consecutively collected, were analyzed as to the frequency of visual neglect. The syndrome was present in 18 patients, 10 of whom had left hemi- or quadrantanopia. In addition, two patients had anopia with Anton's syndrome. Only the visual neglect without field defects was closely related to denial of hemiparesis. The two components of the syndrome of visual neglect, defects in registering visual information from the left side and defective appreciation of own condition are described and analyzed. Psychological theories of the processes behind the syndrome of neglect have difficulties in joining the cardinal features of the syndrome satisfactorily. Theories on the specific role of the right hemisphere in connection with attention/arousal and complex gnostic functions are referred to in the discussion of the syndrome.

Denial and neglect of hemiparesis in right-sided apoplectic lesions

In a prospective investigation of 55 consecutively selected patients with right-sided apoplectic lesions, denial and neglect of hemiparesis was registered in a standardized way using fixed criteria. The patients were all fully conscious and could cooperate in a detailed investigation. About half of the patients had denial and neglect of hemiparesis (1/4 denial, 1/5 neglect). The syndrome(s) of denial/neglect was not related to sensory defects or defects in the sense of position. Denial of hemiparesis was related to extent of lesion, neglect of hemiparesis was not. Both syndromes were related to age of patients. The resemblance between denial and neglect of hemiparesis is pointed out. It is argued, that the two phenomena could be seen as one syndrome released by right-sided brain lesions, the difference being a matter of degree. The cognitive factors in denial/neglect are thought upon as factors, than can be seen in right-sided lesions together with paresis, visual defects, but apparently not necessarily associated with the named defects.

Various degrees of dementia in a selected group of gastrectomized patients with low serum B12

Forty-two gastrectomized patients (mean age 56 years) with a serum B12 level less than 200 pg/ml were studied by psychological testing and electroencephalography. A total of 50 per cent exhibited mild to moderate or more severe intellectual impairment, judging by the history and psychological testing. EEG abnormalities were found, mainly in the form of reduced dominant activity, in 48 per cent. The results of psychological testing were in accurate conformity with the findings of dementia due to other reasons. The characteristic findings were depression and lability of affect, with a high frequency of suicidal attempts (20 per cent). We interpret the cerebral abnormalities as a result of vitamin B12 deficiency.