Week 2 - H - Locked in Syndrome afternoon tutorial

Question 1

Locked in syndrome is a rare neurobehavioural condition associated with lesions in which part of the brainstem?

Answer 1

It is associated with lesions in the ventral pons

Question 2

Locked in syndrome presents with complete tetraplegia and anarthria

What is tetraplegia and anarthria?

Answer 2

Tetraplegia - paralysis of all four limbs

Anarthria - inability to articulate remembered words due to a brain lesion

Question 3

Locked in syndrome is present with complete anarthia and tetraplegia causing an inability to follow commands based on motor function or speech

What are usually the only motor functions preserved in locked in syndrome?

Answer 3

Vertical eye movments and blinking are usually the only motor functions preserved

Question 4

Do patients with locked in syndrome have any cognitive impairment?

Answer 4

Patients who have locked-in syndrome are conscious and aware, with no loss of cognitive function.

Question 5

In ventral pontine syndrome (locked in sydnrome), what is the complex network that is preserved hence the ability to have vertical eye movement and blink is preserved?

Answer 5

The reticular formation is unaffected hence the vertical eye movements and blinking are preserved

Question 6

Patients with locked in syndrome are often initially comatose patients, can these patients respond to any stimulus?

Answer 6

No, comatose patients cannot