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The Babinski reflex is typical of very young children, but it can also occur in adulthood. Let's see better what it is
Il Babinski reflex it takes its name from the neurologist who first described it back in 1899 and is used for to test the integrity of the corticospinal tract (CST). If the presence of this reflex is considered normal in infants with not fully myelinated CST (at least up to 24 months of age), the presence or absence of the reflex in adults can provide very useful information on the presence or absence of pathologies of the nervous system. central. The Babinski reflex is particularly important in the context in which a spinal cord injury or stroke is suspected, as it can be an early indicator of the presence of these emergency conditions: often, in fact, the presence of the reflex is the first indication of injury. of the spinal cord after acute trauma.
The corticospinal tract originates from the cerebral cortex and passes through the brain stem and spinal cord: its fibers synapse with the alpha motor neuron in the spinal cord and help direct motor function. CST is considered upper motor neuron (UMN) and alpha motor neuron is considered lower motor neuron (LMN). 60% of the fibers of the CTS come from the primary motor cortex, premotor areas and supplementary motor areas, while the rest come from the primary sensory areas and the parietal lobe: damage to any point of these fibers can reveal itself in the presence of the Babinski reflex .
To check for the presence of the reflection, it is used a hard and blunt object but not sharp, which does not cause pain or injury: usually a reflex hammer or the edge of a wrench is used. The chosen instrument is slid along the lateral plantar side of the foot, from the heel to the toes. The examiner then observes the dorsiflexion (upward movement) of the big toe and the fanning of the other toes: when this occurs, the Babinski reflex is present; if, on the other hand, the toes deviate downwards, the reflex is absent; finally, if there is no movement, this is considered a neutral response and has no clinical significance. In special cases, for example in the absence of some toes or in case of infectious pathologies of the sole of the foot, it is not possible to test the presence of the Babinski reflex: in these cases, the Hoffman reflex is considered the closest equivalent. to Babinski's reflection.
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Font: NCBI
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