Abstract
After severe brain injury a prolonged disturbance of consciousness may occur, sometimes with transient apallic syndrome (awakening without awareness of self and surroundings). Kluver-Bucy is described in the literature as a typical post-traumatic remission phase, in which the patients show an increase of oral automatisms and/or of sexual drive. The study describes Kluver-Bucy syndrome as a sign associated with favourable prognosis in the outcome of traumatic disturbances of consciousness in survivors of head trauma. Seventy-seven patients who had suffered severe brain injury due to traffic accidents entered into the study. All had experienced a relatively benign clinical course since they recovered full awareness, that is were able to communicate with their relatives. The occurrence of prolonged coma, of apallic syndrome and of Kluver-Bucy syndrome are related to outcome date in regards to the patient's work and family function at a mean of 32 months later. In particular, the duration of the apallic syndrome (duration of unconsciousness) was significantly correlated with the global outcome of the patients (p <0.001).
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 54-57 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Acta Neurologica Scandinavica |
Volume | 91 |
Issue number | 1 |
Publication status | Published - 1995 |
Keywords
- Brain injury
- Kluver-Bucy syndrome
- Social integration
- Traumatic apallic syndrome
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Neurology
- Neuroscience(all)