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Related Experiment Videos

The Babinski reflex

J van Gijn1

  • 1University Department of Neurology, Academisch Ziekenhuis, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Postgraduate Medical Journal
|November 1, 1995
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The plantar response, involving leg muscles, changes with nervous system maturation. A true Babinski sign indicates pyramidal tract dysfunction, distinct from normal reflexes.

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Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Neurophysiology
  • Developmental Neuroscience

Background:

  • The plantar response is a complex reflex involving the entire leg's flexor muscles.
  • In newborns, this reflex is brisk, including toe extensors acting as flexors.
  • Maturation of the pyramidal tract alters this reflex, leading to distinct responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the developmental changes in the plantar response.
  • To differentiate normal plantar responses from pathological signs like Babinski's sign.
  • To emphasize the importance of assessing the entire leg's response for accurate interpretation.

Main Methods:

  • Observation of plantar response development in relation to nervous system maturation.
  • Analysis of the role of the pyramidal tract in modulating spinal reflexes.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Distinguishing between physiological flexion synergies and segmental reflexes.

    • Main Results:

    • In infants, toe extensors participate in a leg flexion synergy.
    • With maturation, the pyramidal tract inhibits this synergy, leading to toe plantarflexion via a segmental reflex.
    • Lesions in the pyramidal tract abolish the segmental toe flexion, potentially re-instituting toe dorsiflexion within the leg flexion synergy (Babinski sign).

    Conclusions:

    • The Babinski sign is a specific indicator of pyramidal tract dysfunction.
    • Normal plantar responses involve a segmental reflex causing toe plantarflexion.
    • Accurate interpretation requires assessing the entire leg's response, not just toe movement.