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[Uncommon reflex automatisms after brain death]

¹Division of Neurology, King Fahd National Guard Hospital, Riyad, Arabie Saoudite.

Revue Neurologique

|October 1, 1995

Summary

Unusual complex movements in brain dead patients were observed, differing from the Lazarus sign. These movements likely stem from disinhibited spinal cord reflexes, not anoxic neuronal discharge.

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Area of Science:

Neurology
Neurophysiology

Background:

Brain death diagnosis relies on cessation of all brain functions.
Complex reflexes can persist in the spinal cord even after brain death.

Observation:

Two cases of brain dead patients exhibited unusual complex limb movements.
Neck flexion triggered slow arm abduction and finger flexion over 5-10 seconds.

Findings:

These movements are distinct from the Lazarus sign, which occurs minutes after respiratory support cessation.
The observed movements are hypothesized to originate from complex reflexes in a disinhibited spinal cord.

Implications:

These findings challenge the understanding of spinal cord reflexes in brain death.
Further research is needed to understand the pathophysiology and clinical significance of these movements in neurological disorders.

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