Balint's syndrome

From Psy3242

Description

A syndrome combining paralysis of visual fixation, optic ataxia (the inability to guide movement according to visual information, i.e. the inability to reach out and grab something that is in front of you), and impairment of visual fixation. It is marked by inability to execute voluntary movement in response to visual stimuli. Despite normal field of view and normal acuity the patients perceives only one object, from which he can hardly move his eyes, while all other objects are not recognized. A rare disorder of oculomotor function due to bilateral lesions of the parietal and occipital lobes. First described by Balint in 1909. Gordon Morgan Holmes reported another in 1918.[1]

Balint's syndrome has been found in patients with bilateral damage to the posterior parietal cortex. The primary cause of the damage and the syndrome can originate from multiple strokes, Alzheimer's Disease, intracranial tumors, or brain injury. This syndrome is caused by damage to the posterior superior watershed areas aka the parietal-occipital vascular border zone (Brodmann's areas 19 and 7). Balint's Syndrome has only recently been reported in children (Gillen and Dutton, 2003). In children this syndrome results in a variety of occupational difficulties, but most notably difficulties in schoolwork, especially reading.