title: Loss of ability to sneeze in lateral medullary syndrome.
abstract: Four consecutive patients with lateral medullary syndrome reported reversible inability to complete a reflex sneeze, despite retaining the urge to do so and the ability to mimic the motor act. This previously undescribed feature of a relatively common syndrome is in keeping with the known location of a "sneeze center" in the lateral medulla of cat. In man, unilateral brainstem lesion is sufficient to abolish the sneeze reflex temporarily.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, New South Wales University, St. George Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hersch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D014854:Lateral Medullary Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D009046:Motor Neurons; D012021:Reflex, Abnormal; D012119:Respiration; D012912:Sneezing; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology