Focal neurological deficits
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A focal neurologic deficit is a problem with nerve, spinal cord, or brain function. It affects a specific location, such as the left side of the face, right arm, or even a small area such as the tongue. Speech, vision, and hearing problems are also considered focal neurological deficits.
The type, location, and severity of the problem can indicate which area of the brain or nervous system is affected.
In contrast, a nonfocal problem is NOT specific to a certain area of the brain. It may include a general loss of consciousness or emotional problem.
Neurological deficits - focal
A focal neurologic problem can affect any of these functions:
- Movement changes, including paralysis, , loss of muscle control, increased muscle tone, , or movements a person cannot control (involuntary movements, such as tremor)
- Sensation changes, including paresthesia (abnormal sensations), numbness, or decreases in sensation
Other examples of focal loss of function include:
- : small pupil on one side, one-sided , lack of sweating on one side of the face, and sinking of one eye into its socket
- Not paying attention to a person's surroundings or a part of the body (neglect)
- or loss of (ability to perform complex movements)
- Poor gag reflex, swallowing difficulty, and frequent choking
- Speech or language difficulties, such as aphasia (a problem understanding or producing words) or dysarthria (a problem making the sounds of words), poor enunciation, poor understanding of speech, difficulty writing, lack of ability to read or understand writing, inability to name objects (anomia)
- Vision changes, such as reduced vision, decreased , sudden , double vision (diplopia)
Anything that damages or disrupts any part of the nervous system can cause a focal neurologic deficit. Examples include:
Home care depends on the type and cause of the problem.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
If you have any loss of movement, sensation, or function, call your health care provider.
What to Expect at Your Office Visit
Your health care provider will take your medical history and perform a physical examination.
The physical examination will include a detailed examination of your nervous system function.
Which tests are done depends on your other symptoms and the possible cause of the nerve function loss. The tests that are used try to locate the part of the nervous system that is involved. Common examples are:
Daroff RB, Fenichel GM, Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC. Diagnosis of neurological disease. In: Daroff RB, Fenichel GM, Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, eds. Bradley's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 1.
Griggs RC, Jozefowicz RF, Aminoff MJ. Approach to the patient with neurologic disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap.403.
- Last reviewed on 12/15/2014
- Joseph V. Campellone, M.D., Division of Neurology, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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