A rare neurological disorder characterized by complete paralysis of voluntary muscles in all parts of the body (except for those that control eye movement). It may result from traumatic brain injury, vascular diseases, demyelinating diseases, or medication overdose. Individuals with locked-in syndrome are conscious and have cognitive function, but are unable to speak or move. The disorder leaves the patient completely mute and paralyzed. Communication may be possible with blinking eye movements.
Locked-In Syndrome: "This syndrome is due to stroke, tumor or trama to the ventral part of the rostral pons. Lesions there render the individual quadriplegic, unable to speak and incapable of facial movement. One would think these individuals were in a coma except that they are able to move their eyes and if given an eye communicating device they can communicate." Learn more at http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/disorders/lockedinsyndrome_doc.htm Click "BACK" on your browser to return to the previous page.
a rare neurological condition in which a person cannot physically move any part of the body except the eyes.
A condition in which a patient is awake and retains the ability to perceive, but is unable to communicate, except by limited eye movements. This is due to an interruption of motor pathways in the ventral pons, usually by infarction. This interruption disconnects the motor cells in the lower brain stem and spinal cord from the controlling signals issued by the brain.
This is a damage to the brainstem that does not interfere with consciousness but does not allow the victim to move or even communicate except by blinking.
An individual who is truly "locked-in" has no voluntary movement except vertical eye movements and, in some cases, blinking, but the individual is consious. This is typically caused by a basilar artery stroke, tumor or trauma damaging the pons or midbrain. (Beukelman & Mirenda, 1998)
A condition resulting from a stroke affecting the brain stem which usually results in total paralysis, including loss of speech and swallowing, but in which the intelligence of the person is not affected. Sometimes eye movement is still possible and can be used as a mode of communication.
a condition in which a patient is aware and awake, but cannot move or communicate due to complete paralysis of the body.
Results from disturbance of motor pathways in the ventral paths, usually when a loss of blood supply results with brain cells dying. This leaves the individual completely paralysed and mute, but able to received and understand sensory stimuli e.g. communication may be possible by code using blinking.
A condition resulting from interruption of motor pathways in the ventral pons, usually by infarction. This disconnection of the motor cells in the lower brain stem and spinal cord from controlling signals issued by the brain leaves the patient completely paralyzed and mute, but able to receive and understand sensory stimuli; communication may be possible by code using blinking, or movements of the jaw or eyes, which can be spared. [Click Here To Return To List