Motor deafferentation state (locked in syndrome). Study of five original cases with pathological exam in four of them

The authors describe 5 cases of motor deafferentation (locked in syndrome) and summarize the clinical and pathological characteristics of this syndrome, using their own material and reviewing the medical literature on the subject. Pyramidal and pseudobulbar symptoms are due to bilateral lesions of the fibers corticospinal and corticobulbar, respectively. The extrinsic muscles of the eye are partially or totally spared, as well as the eye lid muscles. Preservation of consciousness is due to a intact reticular system. It is important to differentiate this syndrome from the true coma states since the patients are here conscious and can communicate with the physician as well as with the family.