This document summarizes research on "pusher syndrome", a condition seen in some stroke patients where they actively push their body towards their weakened side. Key points:
- It is caused by lesions in the posterolateral thalamus region of the brain, which disrupts the brain's representation of body orientation in relation to gravity.
- Patients with this condition perceive their body to be tilted 18 degrees towards their stronger side even when upright. They resist attempts to correct this posture.
- Current research suggests it results from "graviceptive neglect", where signals from the weakened trunk/pelvis are not processed properly by the brain.