[Neglect of the representational space: demonstration by mental evocation of the map of France]

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Spatial Cognition

Context:

• Representational neglect affects conscious spatial representation.
• Previous studies show difficulties in mentally navigating spatial information.

Purpose:

• To investigate representational neglect using mental map tasks.
• To explore the effect of vestibular stimulation on representational neglect reversibility.

Summary:

• Eight patients mentally evoked a map of France, naming towns on either side of a vertical axis.
• Results mirrored prior findings, indicating disturbed conscious spatial representation mechanisms.
• Vestibular stimulation was tested in three patients, showing potential to restore egocentric spatial representation symmetry.

Impact:

• Findings suggest vestibular stimulation may play a central role in correcting spatial representation deficits.
• This research opens avenues for understanding and potentially treating disorders of spatial cognition.