Do Neurological Disorders Lead to Babinski Responses?

Reflexes are instinctive, involuntary reactions that are predictable and reliable according to specific stimulation. Certain reflexes are normal in infancy or early childhood only, and disappear as we grow. The Babinski reflex is a typical reflex in children under two years of age, but it's appearance later in life indicates a problem.

Identification

• The Babinski reflex is tested by touching the sole of the foot from heel to toe, with something like the end of the reflex hammer, along the outer side of the foot in a firm manner. In sensitive patients, the reflex may be masked by the patient voluntarily withdrawing the foot quickly.

Function

• A normal response to the Babinski test is for the toes to curl downward. A Babinski reflex however is noted when the patient's response is when the toes instead fan upward.

Significance

• When a patient has a Babinski reflex response, this indicates damage in the nerve paths connecting the brain and the spinal cord, or the corticospinal tract. Since the tract runs down both sides of the spinal cord, the reflex may be seen on one or both sides. An abnormal Babinski reflex may only be temporary however, depending on the cause.

Types

• Some causes for an abnormal Babinski reflex or response include seizures, Lou Gehrig's disease, brain tumor, spinal cord injury, stroke, head injury, meningitis or multiple sclerosis.