Many patients die in the first hours or days following a brain stem or pontine stroke, often of pulmonary complications. Others are not diagnosed soon enough and die from the withdrawal of support. However, those who receive quality supportive care, get diagnosed, and learn to communicate may live for decades. At least one study reports… Read More
How Many People Are Diagnosed With Locked-In Syndrome Annually?
There are no exact numbers on how many people are diagnosed with locked-in syndrome each year. However, it is an extremely rare condition. There are only a handful of known locked-in syndrome cases confirmed each year. With no international or national agency tracking this condition, the actual prevalence is likely much higher. Many cases of… Read More
What Are the Most Common Medical Causes of Locked-In Syndrome?
Locked in syndrome can occur from any injury or illness that results in both quadriplegia and the inability to communicate verbally but does not affect the person’s cognitive functioning. In general, those with locked in syndrome do not regain any motor function, but he or she can learn to communicate using eye movement, eye-gaze devices,… Read More
Is Locked In Syndrome Common?
Locked in syndrome is not common. In fact, it’s an extremely rare condition with fewer than one case diagnosed per million people. Locked in syndrome leaves the person with an inability to move their limbs or turn their head and with no ability to communicate verbally. However, he or she remains cognitively intact with full… Read More
Can Physical or Emotional Shock Cause Acquired Brain Injury?
Going into shock can cause an acquired brain injury by reducing the amount of oxygen-rich blood that reaches the brain. Without blood and oxygen, the brain quickly begins deteriorating. Neural cells die, and a shock acquired brain injury (ABI) can occur. This is one reason it is imperative that someone exhibiting signs of shock gets… Read More
Concussions Explained: Symptoms, Treatment, and Safety Tips
Concussions and CTE in the NFL; The League’s Head Problem Despite the National Football League’s best efforts; the link between head trauma and the NFL lingers under the national spotlight. Luke Kuechly, one of the NFL’s brightest stars, has unenthusiastically become the face of the current debate raging across the country, which has parents questioning whether… Read More