LOC646743
Locked-In Syndrome: A Devastating Condition that Imprisons the Mind
Description
Locked-in syndrome (LIS) is a rare and debilitating neurological condition that paralyzes almost all voluntary muscles in the body, including those responsible for speech, movement, and eye movement. Despite this severe physical impairment, individuals with LIS remain fully conscious and aware of their surroundings. They are effectively trapped within their own bodies, unable to communicate or move.
The paralysis of the muscles responsible for breathing and swallowing also requires individuals with LIS to rely on mechanical ventilation and feeding tubes to sustain their lives.
Associated Diseases
LIS is commonly associated with the following conditions:
- Stroke: Accounts for the majority of LIS cases (60-80%)
- Traumatic brain injury: Particularly injuries involving the pons region of the brainstem
- Artery dissection: Tearing or rupture of an artery that supplies blood to the brainstem
- Multiple sclerosis: An autoimmune disorder that affects the central nervous system
- Brainstem tumors
Did you Know ?
The incidence of LIS is estimated to be around 0.5-1 case per million people per year. While the condition can affect individuals of any age, it is most commonly diagnosed in those between the ages of 40 and 60.
