Abstract: ObjectiveTo study possible differences in cognitive dysfunction between left hemisphere injury(LHI) patients and right hemisphere injury(RHI) ones.MethodsCognitive function of 55 LHI patients and 43 RHI patients were examined by aphasia screening test and the Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment Battery(LOTCA).ResultsThe scores of RHI group were significant higher than that of LHI group in orientation in place,overlapping figures,spacial perception,praxis(P<0.001-0.005),but significant lower than that of LHI group in visual identification of shapes and visuomotor organization(P<0.001-0.02).The possibilities of RHI group were significant more than that of LHI group in disorientation in time,shape agnosia,disorder in figure-ground identification,unilateral neglect,disordered attention(P<0.005-0.025),but significant fewer than that of LHI group in aphasia,ideomotor apraxia(P<0.005-0.01).The possibilities were no significant differences in disorientation in place,objects agnosia,colour agnosia,spacial agnosia,motor apraxia,constructional apraxia,thinking disorder between RHI group and LHI group(P>0.05).Conclusions There is characteristic cognitive dysfunction after right or left hemisphere injury.

Key words: brain injury, cognitive dysfunction, assessment, LOTCA