REFLEXES THE CODES OF NEUROLOGY

reflexesneurologytaskindumankapak21432

INTERPRETATION OF REFLEX RESPONSES AND CLINICAL EVALUATION

Özlem Aksoy Özmenek

Yüksek İhtisas University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Ankara, Türkiye

Aksoy Özmenek Ö. Interpretation of Reflex Responses and Clinical Evaluation. In: Duman T, editor. Reflexes The Codes of Neurology. 1st ed. Ankara: Türkiye Klinikleri; 2025. p.59-71.

ABSTRACT

Reflex examinations play a strategic role in neurological assessments and provide critical information for the diagnosis and treatment of patients. Reflex responses help localize and lateralize lesions, while abnormal responses provide valuable insights into neurological dysfunction. Alterations in reflex responses, such as hyperreflexia, hyporeflexia, and areflexia, indicate lesions affecting different parts of the reflex arc. hyporeflexia and areflexia generally suggest damage to afferent organs or afferent neurons, whereas lesions in efferent neurons or effector organs can affect the motor component of the reflexes. Increased reflex responses and pathological reflexes may arise from lesions in the regulatory centers of the central nervous system. Deep tendon reflex (DTR) responses are particularly important for localizing lesions in both the central and peripheral nervous systems, and their diagnostic value is enhanced by a comprehensive neurological examination. Reflex responses are modulated by various factors, such as age, sex, locomotion, altitude, fatigue, humidity, thermal changes, hypoxemia, ambient light, emotional factors, electrolyte imbalances, hyperglycemia, thyroid dysfunction, and medications. Aging may slow reflexes, whereas sex differences can cause variations in reflex patterns. Electrolyte imbalances and hyperglycemia can affect reflex responses owing to impaired nerve conduction. Some medications used for treatment can also alter reflex responses directly or indirectly. Finally, a comprehensive approach to reflex examinations integrated with clinical findings is crucial to improving diagnostic accuracy, personalizing treatments, and enhancing treatment outcomes in neurology.

Keywords: Reflex-abnormal; Reflex-strech; Blinking; Reflex-vestibo-ocular

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