decerebrate

[de-ser´ĕ-brāt]

1. to eliminate cerebral function by transection of the brainstem or ligation of the common carotid arteries and basilar artery at the center of the pons.

2. a laboratory animal so prepared.

decerebrate rigidity a posture found in those with lesions of the upper part of the brainstem or severe bilateral lesions of the cerebrum; the patient lies in rigid extension with the arms internally rotated at the shoulders, elbows, knees, and hips extended, and fingers, ankles, and toes flexed. The jaw may be clenched with the neck hyperextended. Called also decerebrate posturing.

Decerebrate rigidity (or posturing).

de·cer·e·brate

(dē-ser'ĕ-brāt),

1. To cause decerebration.

2. Denoting an animal so prepared, or a patient whose brain has suffered an injury that renders the patient, in neurologic behavior, comparable with a decerebrate animal.

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

decerebrate

(dē-sĕr′ə-brāt′)

tr.v. decere·brated, decere·brating, decere·brates

To eliminate cerebral brain function in (an animal) by removing the cerebrum, cutting across the brainstem, or severing certain arteries in the brainstem, as for purposes of experimentation.

adj. (also -brĭt)

1. Deprived of cerebral function, as by having the cerebrum removed.

2. Resulting from or as if from decerebration: decerebrate rigidity; decerebrate movements.

3. Lacking intelligence or reason.

n. (also -brĭt)

A decerebrate animal or person.

de·cer′e·bra′tion n.

de·cer·e·brate

(dē-ser'ĕ-brāt)

1. To cause decerebration.

2. Denoting an animal so prepared, or a patient whose brain has suffered an injury causing neurologic impairment comparable with that of a decerebrate animal.

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

decerebrate

Suffering from the effects of loss of cerebral activity, such as thought, consciousness, sensation and the power of voluntary movement.

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

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References in periodicals archive

They note that brain dead patients sometimes move their hands toward the chest automatically and show a praying posture (known as the Lazarus sign).[18] Even decerebrate posture (that is, an unusual extension and rotation of limbs) has appeared in brain dead patients, which implies the existence of some living neurons in the brainstem.[19] And Alan Shewmon has reported that many brain dead patients' hearts continue beating for more than a month (and in one case, for 14.5 years).[20] We must admit that a brain dead person is completely different from a cold and pale corpse.

RECONSIDERING BRAIN DEATH: A Lesson from Japan's Fifteen Years of Experience

AA THREE-LEGGED coffee table of my acquaintance insists that if you find a cluster of decerebrate social workers and lawyers - not difficult - you may be able to arrange to have yourself looked after by a senile old judge and some sort of institutional parental substitute.

Dr Vernon's casebook

Such a difference may be related to the method by which EODs were elicited in this study (electrical stimulation of the EOCN in a decerebrate animal), although EODs evoked by tactile stimulation were invariably very close to those elicited by EOCN stimulation.

Electric organ discharge and electrosensory reafference in skates

Alpha, beta-Methylene ATP elicits a reflex pressor response arising from muscle in decerebrate cats.

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors mediate Mesobuthus tamulus venom-induced vasosensory reflex responses in anesthetized rats

Motor-unit activation patterns in lengthening and isometric contractions of hindlimb extensor muscles in the decerebrate cat.

Forward stair descent with hybrid neuroprosthesis after paralysis: single case study demonstrating feasibility

Two main points of this experimental approach need to be discussed: (1) the unphysiological character of the PF stimulation paradigm and (2) the decerebrate preparation.

Translational approach to behavioral learning: lessons from cerebellar plasticity

During the course of treatment she developed high grade fever, myoclonic jerks, irregularity of respiration, decerebrate posturing, fluctuation of BP, and died after 64 h of admission.

Clinical & pathological features of acute toxicity due to Cassia occidentalis in vertebrates

During the days that followed, the patient was in a deep coma with decerebrate posture and multiorgan system failure.

Fatal Rickettsia conorii subsp. israelensis infection, Israel

Glasgow Coma Scale Eye-opening Opens eves spontaneously 4 points response Opens eyes in response to voice 3 points Opens eyes in response 2 points to painful stimuli Does not open eyes 1 point Verbal orientated, converses normally 5 points response Confused, disorientated 4 points conversation, but able to answer basic questions Inappropriate responses, 3 points words discernible Incomprehensible speech 2 points Makes no sounds I point Motor Obeys commands for movement 6 points response Purposeful movement 5 points to painful stimulus Withdraws from pain 4 points Abnormal (spastic) flexor 3 points response to painful stimuli, decorticate posture Extensor response to painful 2 points stimuli, decerebrate posture Makes no movements 1 point Table III.

Introduction to traumatic brain injury: a traumatic brain injury is often the result of one moment of mischance, but it may have long-lasting and far-reaching repercussions

Indicators of severe cerebral edema include decorticare or decerebrate posture, abnormal response to pain, a neurogenic respiratory pattern, and cranial nerve palsy.

Cerebral edema with DKA is a clinical Dx

A I ALWAYS find it depressing when I discover yet another entirely decerebrate individual among my readers.

Stone me! You must be potty if you think drugs should be legalised!

The resulting syndrome is characterized by deep coma, paralysis, decerebrate posturing, and pinpoint pupils.

Spontaneous hypertensive-arteriosclerotic intracerebral hemorrhage