The Four Primitive Reflexes in the Normal Elderly People

J Korean Neurol Assoc > Volume 19(4); 2001 > Article

Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 2001;19(4): 380-383.

정상 노인의 네가지 원시반사

이승환, "박문호 박건우 신이철*차상훈 † 이대희 박민규"

"고려대학교 의과대학 신경과학교실,진단방사선과교실 † ,고려대학교 안산헬스연구소*"

The Four Primitive Reflexes in the Normal Elderly People

"Seung Hwan Lee, M.D., Moon Ho Park, M.D., Kun Woo Park, M.D., Chol Shin, M.D,* Sanghoon Cha † , M.D., Dae Hie Lee, M.D., Min Kyu Park, M.D."

"Department of Neurology and Diagnostic Radiology † , College of Medicine Ansan Health Study*, Korea University"

Abstract

"Background : The primitive reflexes such as palmomental, glabella, snout, nuchocephalic reflexes may appear in a variety of diseases of the central nervous system. In this study, we investigated the frequencies of these primitive reflex -es in the healthy elderly Korean population that have never been studied before. Methods : Randomly selected 103 vol-unteers aged older than 60 years were examined by neurologists with a systemic neurological examination which included primitive reflexes and by radiologists with neuroimaging. Seven subjects were excluded from the study due to abnormal findings in the MRI of one subject and unusual neurological signs in 6 subjects. Results : The overall mean age of the subjects was 66.5 years. One or more of the primitive reflexes were seen in 26 (24.9%) subjects. Eighteen (17.2%) subjects showed the palmomental reflex; eleven (10.5%) subjects showed the glabella reflex; five (4.8%) sub-jects showed the snout reflex; and one (1.0%) subject showed the nuchocephalic reflex. One subject had palmomental, glabella as well as snout reflexes, and five subjects had two primitive reflexes at the same time. Conclusions : Despite the normal findings from the neurological examinations and neuroimaging, 24.9% of healthy aged people had one or more primitive reflexes. The presence of these primitive reflexes as an isolated phenomenon may not imply brain lesions. J Korean Neurol Assoc 19(4):380~383, 2001 Key Words : Primitive reflexes, Normal subjects"