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Related Experiment Videos

Blinking and the release reflexes: are they clinically useful?

R J Thomas1

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City 37614.

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
|June 1, 1994
PubMed
Summary

Blinking and primitive reflexes, like the grasp reflex, are valuable bedside neurological examination tools. Their presence or absence, and habituation patterns, aid in diagnosing various neurological conditions in adults and the elderly.

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Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Neuroscience
  • Clinical Examination

Background:

  • Primitive reflexes, including blinking and release reflexes (palmomental, glabellar, grasp, snout), are integral to neurological assessments.
  • These reflexes, often observed incidentally in the elderly, can indicate underlying neurological dysfunction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the clinical utility of blinking and various release reflexes.
  • To highlight their importance in bedside neurological examinations.

Main Methods:

  • A literature search of MEDLINE from 1966 to 1993 was conducted.
  • Thirty-seven relevant references providing clinically applicable information were selected.

Main Results:

  • Controversy exists regarding the optimal methods for eliciting these reflexes.

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  • A positive grasp reflex, particularly if asymmetrical, suggests abnormal brain function but lacks specificity.
  • Lack of reflex habituation is a more significant indicator than mere presence or absence.

    • Conclusions:

    • Blinking and release reflexes are clinically useful for diagnosing and assessing diverse conditions.
    • These include frontal lobe lesions, hydrocephalus, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, dementias, and recovery from head trauma.