What primary distinction characterizes Pusher Syndrome in patients?

Pusher Syndrome is characterized primarily by active leaning towards the side of the lesion, which reflects a specific neurological condition that affects body perception and spatial orientation. Patients with Pusher Syndrome typically exhibit a strong urge to push away from their unaffected side, leading them to actively lean towards the hemiparetic or affected side. This condition arises from disruptions in the brain that impair an individual’s perception of verticality and their sense of the midline.

In contrast, the other options represent different movement disorders or postural issues that do not accurately describe the active behavior associated with Pusher Syndrome. For instance, the inability to maintain an upright position may indicate other forms of instability or weakness, but it does not capture the active conflict in body positioning that characterizes Pusher Syndrome. Similarly, passive falling implies a lack of active engagement from the patient and is inconsistent with the proactive nature of leaning seen in this syndrome. Severe truncal instability without lean might relate to a broader category of postural difficulties, but again, it doesn’t capture the unique active leaning behavior pivotal to Pusher Syndrome.