locked-in syndrome
Aware but immobile
Locked-in syndrome is a neurological condition in which a person is fully conscious but unable to move or speak, typically due to brainstem damage.
Patients can usually communicate only through eye movements or blinking.
The mind remains intact while the body is essentially paralyzed: After his stroke, he spent three years in locked-in syndrome, writing a memoir by blinking.
Lower neural trunk
- strokeSudden brain blood blockage
- brain injuryDamage to cranial organ
- consciousnessState of sentient awareness
- awarenessState of perceiving reality
cognition · ventilator · neurological · encephalopathy · neurophysiology · EEG · MRI · prognosis
Paralysis below the neck
- tetraplegiaParalysis affecting all limbs
- immobilityLack of motion
- muscle weaknessReduced contractile capacity
- atrophyWasting from disuse
bedridden · spasticity · flaccidity · dysphagia · voluntary movement · motor function · paresis · nonambulatory
Unable to escape
- consciousMentally present and alert
- awareHaving knowledge of
- isolatedSeparated from others
- helplessUnable to act independently
confined · silent · witness · inner life · frustration · determination · resilience · memoir
Shifting of one's gaze
- blinkRapid lid movement
- alphabet boardPanel displaying all letters
- AACSound compression format
- assistive technologyDisability-compensating devices and software
yes-no questions · communication board · text-to-speech · brain-computer interface · nonverbal · adaptive equipment · voice synthesizer · caregiver
brainstem
Lower neural trunk
- strokeSudden brain blood blockage
- brain injuryDamage to cranial organ
- consciousnessState of sentient awareness
awareness · cognition · ventilator · neurological · encephalopathy · neurophysiology · EEG · MRI · prognosis · etiology
quadriplegia
Paralysis below the neck
- tetraplegiaParalysis affecting all limbs
- immobilityLack of motion
- muscle weaknessReduced contractile capacity
atrophy · bedridden · spasticity · flaccidity · dysphagia · voluntary movement · motor function · paresis · nonambulatory · physical therapy
trapped
Unable to escape
helpless · confined · silent · witness · inner life · frustration · determination · resilience · memoir · autobiography
eye movement
Shifting of one's gaze
- blinkRapid lid movement
- alphabet boardPanel displaying all letters
- AACSound compression format
assistive technology · yes-no questions · communication board · text-to-speech · brain-computer interface · nonverbal · adaptive equipment · voice synthesizer · caregiver · interpreter
- Neurological Disordersepilepsy, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, neuropathy
- neurological symptomsnumbness, tremor, paralysis, aphasia, ataxia
- Paralysisparalysis, paraplegia, quadriplegia, hemiplegia, tetraplegia
- SyndromesGuillain-Barre, restless leg, irritable bowel, IBS, chronic fatigue
- Brain InjuriesTBI, concussion, brain trauma, brain damage, traumatic brain injury
- Ponspons
locked-in syndromeable-bodied
Physically fit, healthy
freedom of movement · motor control · voluntary movement · motor function · ambulation
locked-in syndromecoma
Unwakeable unconsciousness
persistent vegetative state · unconsciousness · brain death · obtundation · stupor
locked-in syndromeverbal fluency
Skill in speaking smoothly
eloquence · articulateness · expressive freedom · logorrhea · free speech
locked, unlock, locks, locker, unlocked, locking, unlocking, syndrome, lockers