Physiologic 'Transection' of the Brain Stem in Healthy Humans and the Neurologic Basis of Unconsciousness.

摘要

Investigation of the kinetic relationships of the symptom complex associated with abrupt onset ischemic insult of the central nervous system (CNS) in over 700 completely healthy humans has revealed considerable insight into the neurologic substrates underlying conscious function, its loss, and its recovery. Acceleration +G sub z -induced CNS ischemia of a magnitude to alter conscious function (G-LOC) is associated with loss of vision, postural motor control, and memory along with induction of myoclonic convulsions, dreaming, and transient confusion/disorientation. It is evident that regional ischemic differences are established within the CNS and these neurologic alterations suggest that a reversible physiologic 'transection' of the brain stem results from +G sub z -induced ischemia.