Primitive reflexes in cerebrovascular disease: a community study of older people with stroke and carotid stenosis

✍ Scribed by Rahul Rao; Stephen Jackson; Robert Howard

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1999
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 109 KB
• Volume: 14
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0885-6230
• DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1099-1166(199911)14:11<964::aid-gps51>3.0.co;2-g

✦ Synopsis

Objectives. To determine the prevalence of primitive re¯exes ( frontal release signs) in elderly community residents with cerebrovascular disease and to examine their relationship with neuropsychological and mood-related variables.

Methods. Three groups of 25 people over 65 with anterior circulation stroke, transient ischaemic attack (TIA) and a control group were assessed using measures of generalized cognitive impairment, frontal lobe dysfunction, frontal release signs and mood-related variables. Predictors of cerebrovascular disease were examined further in stroke and TIA groups.

Results. Both stroke and TIA groups showed a higher mean score on the Frontal Release Signs Scale and a higher prevalence of most re¯exes than the control group. Verbal ¯uency and DSM-IV depressive disorder were independent predictors of frontal release signs.

Conclusion. TIAs may predispose to subtle neurological impairment, which may be mediated by frontal lobe damage. Their role in the pathogenesis of depression in later life requires further exploration.