With decerebrate posturing, a person is not conscious, and they dont have voluntary control over their movements.
A stroke, head trauma, or a severe brain infection can cause decerebrate posturing.
This article describes decerebrate posturing and what to expect if your loved one has this condition.
Illustration by Michela Buttignol for Verywell Health
This key in of physical reaction occurs along with many other signs and symptoms of brain damage.
A person would not have decerebrate posturing as the only sign of a diseaseit accompanies other signs and symptoms.
Decerebrate posturing can come.
It can also occur with intermittent seizures,decorticateposturing,fencing response, or complete immobility.
This physical sign can develop slowly or quickly.
Nerve cell communication triggers and inhibits messages, resulting in well-coordinated actions.
When nerve cells in the brain are damaged, they cannot send or receive triggering or inhibitory messages.
Thinking, physical actions, and survival functions can be lost when extensive brain damage occurs.
Decerebrate posturing is a response to extensive brain damage, which prevents normal activation and inhibition of neurons.
Is It Permanent?
The brain damage that causes decerebrate posturing is usually permanent.
For example, a person who is demonstrating decerebrate posturing may have already experienced a large stroke.
Steroids or diuretic medication (water pills) to remove excess fluid from the body may be given.
It is possible for this sign to develop at the end of a persons life.
Brain imaging testsinclude brain computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
An EEG can often differentiate seizures from severe, irreversible brain damage.
This study may show a pattern that is consistent with severe damage on both sides of the brain.
Risks and Complications
Decerebrate posturing doesnt cause damage to the brainit is a sign of brain damage.
It is an indication of an unfavorable prognosis and a low likelihood of survival.
Neither is considered better or worse than the other.
Be sure all your questions are answered before you make a decision.
Summary
Decerebrate posturing is a sign of severe brain damage.
A person may have intermittent episodes of decerebrate posturing or the posturing remains stable for hours or longer.
