Rigidity Decerebrate

What is rigidity (decerebral) and how does it affect behavior? Decerebrate rigidity (or rigid decerebration) is a condition in which the brain is so damaged that it becomes unable to fully control the body. As a result, the person can only perform a limited number of movements and has difficulty thinking and making decisions.

Rigidity manifests itself in various areas of life, including physical, social, emotional and cognitive areas. For example, a person with rigidity may have trouble moving due to decreased coordination and control of muscle tone; he may have difficulty communicating when talking or being in the company of other people; experience difficulty planning and completing tasks; and have a limited vocabulary and problems processing information.

Also, people suffering from rigidity may have a slower pace of thinking, delayed reactions to events, a limited ability to learn and remember new information, and sometimes even dementia. Increased rigidity can be associated with various brain diseases and injuries, such as Parkinson's disease, cerebral palsy, chronic brain failure and stroke. Rigidity also often develops in older people suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's disease.