Locked-in Syndrome

A condition resulting from interruption of motor pathways in the ventral pons, usually by infarction.  This disconnection of the motor cells in the lower brain stem and spinal cord from controlling signals issued by the brain leaves the patient completely paralyzed and mute, but able to receive and understand sensory stimuli; communication my be possible by code using blinking, or movements of the jaw or eyes, which can be spared.