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Audiogenic startle reflex in acute hemiplegia
P Voordecker1, N Mavroudakis, S Blecic
1Service de Neurologie, Hôpital Erasme, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium.
Neurology
|August 1, 1997
Summary
Acute stroke can enhance the audiogenic startle reflex (ASR) due to loss of brain inhibition. This study investigated stroke
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
- Stroke Research
Background:
- The audiogenic startle reflex (ASR) generators are in the bulbopontine reticular formation.
- Supratentorial lesions can impact neurological reflexes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of acute supratentorial vascular lesions on the audiogenic startle reflex (ASR).
Main Methods:
- Studied ten patients with hemiplegia from hemispheric cerebral infarct within 5 days of stroke onset.
- Performed audiogenic startle reflex (ASR) and magnetic cortical stimulation on the same day.
- Assessed muscle response to magnetic stimulation over the plegic side.
Main Results:
- No muscle response to magnetic stimulation was elicited over the plegic side in any patient.
- ASR was enhanced over the plegic side in four of seven patients.
Conclusions:
- Enhanced ASR in stroke patients may result from the loss of inhibitory hemispheric drive.
- Suggests a role for supratentorial structures in modulating the audiogenic startle reflex.