UCLPartners Centre for Neurorehabilitation Seminar: Prof Thomas Nyffeler

Abstract:
Visual neglect is one of the most frequent cognitive impairments after stroke and an important, independent predictor of poor outcome in terms of functional independence. Although the clinical hallmarks of visual neglect are well established, its incidence after stroke is probably underestimated, as clear diagnostic criteria are still missing.

In the talk, a very sensitive and rapid diagnostic method using eye movement recordings is proposed. Then, a clinical approach that allows to discriminate between visual field deficits and visual neglect is presented; this distinction is important regarding patients' outcome. Finally, the talk highlights factors as to why some neglect patients respond to therapeutic approaches while others do not, focusing on non-invasive brain stimulation and auditory stimulation. The talk is addressed to both cognitive neurologists and health care professionals (e.g., physiotherapists, OT, SLT, clinical psychologists) working in neurorehabilitation.

Speaker: Prof Thomas Nyffeler
Thomas Nyffeler is Professor in Neurology at the Department of Neurology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Switzerland, affiliated group head at the ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research at the University of Bern and chief physician Neurorehabilitation at the Luzerner Kantonsspital, Lucerne, Switzerland. Dr. Nyffeler is leading a Swiss National Science Foundation project on crossmodal interaction after brain lesion with a focus on the influence of auditory stimulation on visual neglect. He has a special interest in methodological, physiological, and pathophysiological aspects of visual perception of space and its investigation by means of eye movements and non-invasive brain stimulation.


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Lecture Theatre, 33 Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG

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Enquiries to: cnr@ucl.ac.uk