Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Alterations in Muscle Tone lll

Alterations in Muscle Tone lll

Rigidity and myotonia are distinct abnormalities of muscle tone that affect resistance and relaxation during movement. Although both involve altered muscle contraction, they arise from different neurological and muscular mechanisms.CharacteristicsRigidity is characterized by uniform resistance to passive movement across the entire range, independent of speed, affecting flexors and extensors equally. It may appear as lead-pipe rigidity (smooth, constant resistance) or cogwheel rigidity...

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a sleep disorder characterized by the absence of muscle paralysis that normally occurs during the REM phase of sleep. This absence allows individuals to physically act out their dreams, which are often vivid and disturbing. Common behaviors exhibited during episodes include kicking, punching, and yelling. These actions can be dangerous, potentially leading to injuries for the person with RBD or their bed partner.
RBD is significantly associated with...

Disorders of the Skeletal Muscle

Disorders of the Skeletal Muscle

The clinical conditions affecting the skeletal muscle tissue are broadly categorized as musculoskeletal and neuromuscular disorders.
Musculoskeletal disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders involve injuries and conditions affecting the skeletal muscles and associated connective tissues. These disorders can arise from acute biomechanical stresses or chronic overuse and can occur across different age groups. Common injuries include sprains, fractures, and muscular strains, often resulting from...

Alterations in Muscle Tone ll

Alterations in Muscle Tone ll

Alterations in muscle tone are common manifestations of neurological disorders and reflect dysfunction within different nervous system regions. Spasticity, paratonia, and dystonia represent distinct forms of hypertonia, each with unique mechanisms, clinical features, and diagnostic importance.CharacteristicsSpasticity happens from upper motor neuron lesions and is characterized by velocity-dependent resistance to passive movement. Clinical features include:Exaggerated deep tendon reflexesClonus...

Myasthenia Gravis: Diagnostic Tests

Myasthenia Gravis: Diagnostic Tests

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune condition affecting neuromuscular transmission, causing generalized weakness in skeletal muscles. Initial diagnoses rely on patients' signs, symptoms, and medical history. The challenge lies in distinguishing myasthenia from other muscular dystrophies. An important diagnostic feature is the significant improvement of symptoms after administering anticholinesterase inhibitors.
The edrophonium test is a diagnostic tool for myasthenia gravis. It involves...

Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Therapeutic Uses

Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Therapeutic Uses

Skeletal muscle relaxants are used to relax muscle tone and alleviate painful muscle contractions. However, the choice of skeletal muscle relaxants depends on the duration of the surgical procedure in order to minimize potential side effects. Skeletal muscle relaxants like neuromuscular blocking agents [NMBAs] are commonly employed as adjuvants alongside general anesthetics in clinical settings. NMBAs are also used to maintain controlled ventilation during surgery of the larynx or pharynx as...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Correction: Endoscopic diagnosis and management of peptic ulcer bleeding: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Guideline - Update 2026.

Endoscopy·2026

Same author

Endoscopic diagnosis and management of peptic ulcer bleeding: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Guideline - Update 2026.

Endoscopy·2026

Same author

[11C]CS1P1 PET links T-cell-associated immune activation with endothelial and astrocytic responses.

Research square·2026

Same author

A mixed methods study of the impact of WAGR spectrum disorder on individuals and their caregivers.

Orphanet journal of rare diseases·2026

Same author

High-Resolution Genomic Characterization of WAGR Spectrum Disorder: Insights From a Novel Cohort and Literature Synthesis, and Validation of Patient-Reported Data.

American journal of medical genetics. Part A·2026

Same author

Is trait mindfulness associated with pain interference in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty? A prospective cohort study.

Physiotherapy theory and practice·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 24, 2026

SECONDs Administration Guidelines: A Fast Tool to Assess Consciousness in Brain-injured Patients

SECONDs Administration Guidelines: A Fast Tool to Assess Consciousness in Brain-injured Patients

Published on: February 6, 2021

Akinetic mutism--not coma.

Anita Chittaranjan Shetty¹, John Morris, Paul O'Mahony

¹Department of Geriatric Medicine, The University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital, NSW 2145, Australia.

|March 20, 2009

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

A patient with akinetic mutism was misdiagnosed due to unresponsiveness, initially mistaken for coma. Early MRI scans are crucial for diagnosing rare thalamic infarction in atypical neurological presentations.

More Related Videos

EEG Mu Rhythm in Typical and Atypical Development

EEG Mu Rhythm in Typical and Atypical Development

Published on: April 9, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 24, 2026

SECONDs Administration Guidelines: A Fast Tool to Assess Consciousness in Brain-injured Patients

SECONDs Administration Guidelines: A Fast Tool to Assess Consciousness in Brain-injured Patients

Published on: February 6, 2021

EEG Mu Rhythm in Typical and Atypical Development

EEG Mu Rhythm in Typical and Atypical Development

Published on: April 9, 2014

Area of Science:

Neurology
Neuroimaging
Neuroscience

Background:

Akinetic mutism is a rare condition characterized by apparent lack of spontaneous movement and speech.
Patients may present with unresponsiveness, mimicking coma, but can respond to stimuli.
Frontal lobe syndromes and unusual movements like clonic perseveration can complicate diagnosis.

Observation:

A 77-year-old female presented with unresponsiveness, later exhibiting clonic perseveration.
Initial computed tomography (CT) scans were unremarkable.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed bilateral paramedian thalamic infarction.

Findings:

Bilateral paramedian thalamic infarction can cause akinetic mutism and frontal lobe signs.
Akinetic mutism may be misdiagnosed as coma due to similar presentation of unresponsiveness.
Clonic perseveration can be erroneously interpreted as seizures.

Implications:

Early MRI is recommended for patients with atypical neurological presentations, especially those mimicking coma.
Accurate diagnosis of thalamic infarction is essential for appropriate management and prognosis.
This case highlights the importance of advanced neuroimaging in differentiating complex neurological conditions.