title: Focal cognitive deficits accentuated by depression.
abstract: A patient with a postoperative posterior right hemisphere lesion underwent neuropsychological testing during a major depressive episode, and again following remission of the depression. Qualitative visuoconstructive deficits typical of right hemisphere damage were present when the patient was depressed, but were absent following treatment of the depression. Verbal intelligence, cooperation, and vigilance were normal. The case suggests that depression may accentuate focal cognitive signs of fixed lesions in the absence of global impairment of function.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D003891:Desipramine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D002538:Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000523:psychology*; D014888:Wechsler Scales
chemical_list: D003891:Desipramine