Additional outcome measures and neural correlates of visuospatial construction using the Rey-Osterrieth complex figure and voxel-based lesion-symptom mapping

Abstract

We studied visuospatial construction as measured by the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure test (ROCF) in detail, using more specified variables: (1) Figure Size; (2) Side of omissions; (3) Local vs. global items; and (4) Figure location. The correlation between these variables and five other, related neuropsychological tests was also examined. Last, voxel-based lesion-symptom mapping (VLSM) was performed to find neural correlates of said variables. The study cohort was a relatively large sample of first-ever ischemic stroke patients with an infarction on follow-up CT or MRI. Figure size was larger (µ=1.07), left side items were drawn correctly more often than right side items (0.81 vs. 0.69), local items were drawn correctly less often than global items (0.75 vs. 0.79) and the figure was located to the left (µ=-7.15). . Number of drawn left side, right side, local, and global items showed comparable correlations with the other neuropsychological tests. The right insula and right caudate nucleus were associated with left side and local items. The right angular gyrus and the occipital cortex were associated with right side and global items. The putamen was associated with global items. . Taken together, the results suggest that visuospatial construction is not a singular ability, but rather many collaborating components which can be selectively impaired.