Anosognosia: Definitions, Diagnosis, and Prognosis

These authors review a decade of studies that addressed anosognosia (unawareness of illness).

Summarizing 27 relevant articles, the researchers found that anosognosia was more common with right- than with left-hemisphere dysfunction, frequently associated with hemispatial neglect, and predictive of poor functional outcome. The authors note that to assess this disorder, clinicians need new methods, including a comprehensive assessment for the different types of anosognosia and an evaluation of the effects of unawareness on patients’ behavior.