Diaschisis

Diaschisis is a temporary loss of reflex activity in the brain stem or spinal cord that develops as a result of damage to the cerebral cortex.

With diaschisis, suppression of reflexes and motor activity is observed in those areas of the brain that are associated with the damaged area, but are not directly damaged. This occurs due to a disruption in the normal interaction of different parts of the brain.

After damage to any part of the cerebral cortex, the subcortical structures associated with it temporarily lose normal activity. This leads to a weakening or complete disappearance of reflexes innervated from these subcortical areas.

However, after some time, this state of suppressed reflex activity is replaced by hyperreflexia and spasticity of the corresponding limbs and muscles. That is, reflexes are not only restored, but also become overly pronounced.

Thus, diaschisis is a reversible dysfunction of brain areas remote from the lesion, developing as a reaction to local damage.

Diaschisis: a disorder of the brain structure

Diaschisis is an acute injury to the nervous system that results in temporary loss of reflex activity in the cerebral cortex and brain stem or spinal cord. The development of diaschisis can lead to spasticity of the limbs, severe muscle spasm or a feeling of stiffness.

Diaschisis (or intermittent ataxia) is a rare symptom complex that is manifested by impaired coordination of movements and reflexes. Occurs exclusively in people experiencing strong emotions. Currently little studied. It affects only men aged 40 to 60 years, mostly married.

Diaschisis is preceded by a sudden deterioration in health, loss of coordination, general weakness, fatigue, and joint pain. After a few minutes, prodromal phenomena occur. There is a change in facial expressions, dry mouth, a strong feeling of hunger, dizziness, trembling of the limbs, unsteadiness, and severe sweating. After a person regains consciousness, “severe” symptoms of the disease occur. The severity of the symptoms does not worsen immediately, but after a few minutes. If a person does not seek help, recovery occurs after some time.

Diaschisis means "separation" in Greek, and this truly describes a nervous system disorder that is often diagnosed in pediatric patients. In simple terms, diaschisis is a process of dysfunction of the cerebral cortex, which determines speech articulation, movement and many other important functions in our body.

Because of this, the brain deactivates those nerve connections and centers that ensure the performance of the above functions. Violation of these actions affects the functioning of entire areas - eyes, ears, muscles, motor muscles, fingers. Intense weakness and paralysis occurs in individual muscles. This is because the cortex provides the body with information regarding its needs and how to satisfy them. So the longer the patient is inactive, the more the symptoms of problems increase.

What could be the cause of the development of diaschisis?