Three levels of sensorimotor control within the central nervous system (CNS) can be distinguished. During the neonatal stage, general movements and primitive reflexes are controlled at the spinal and brain stem levels. Analysis of the newborn's spontaneous general movements and the assessment of primitive reflexes is crucial in the screening and early recognition of a risk for abnormal development. Following the newborn period, the subcortical level of the CNS motor control emerges and matures mainly during the first year of life. This allows for basic trunk stabilization, a prerequisite for any phasic movement and for the locomotor function of the extremities. At the subcortical level, orofacial muscles and afferent information are automatically integrated within postural-locomotor patterns. Finally, the cortical (the highest) level of motor control increasingly becomes activated. Cortical control is important for the individual qualities and characteristics of movement. It also allows for isolated segmental movement and relaxation. A child with impaired cortical motor control may be diagnosed with developmental dyspraxia or developmental coordination disorder. Human ontogenetic models, i.e., developmental motor patterns, can be used in both the diagnosis and treatment of locomotor system dysfunction.

• MeSH
• Apraxias diagnosis   MeSH
• Kinesiology, Applied * MeSH
• Infant MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Musculoskeletal Development physiology   MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Neonatal Screening methods   MeSH
• Movement physiology   MeSH
• Posture physiology   MeSH
• Child, Preschool MeSH
• Feedback, Sensory physiology   MeSH
• Child Development physiology   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Infant MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Child, Preschool MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Review MeSH

• MeSH
• Clinical Medicine MeSH
• Rehabilitation MeSH

• Conspectus
• Patologie. Klinická medicína
• NML Fields
• rehabilitační a fyzikální medicína
• NML Publication type
• kolektivní monografie

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Recent and historical findings suggest that later-developed functions during brain ontogenesis related to higher levels of cognitive and motor integration tend to replace the older, more primitive, ones, and the persistence of the older functions may be linked to specific neuropsychiatric disorders. Currently, there is growing evidence to suggest that persisting primitive reflexes may be related to developmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Preliminary data also suggest that persisting primitive reflexes may be specifically linked to attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). METHODS: In the study reported here, we tested to what extent the persisting primitive asymmetric tonic neck reflex and symmetric tonic neck reflex are related to ADHD symptoms measured by Conners' Parent Questionnaire in 35 medication-naïve girls of school age (8-11 years) with ADHD. The results were compared with those of a control group of 30 girls of the same age. RESULTS: This study showed that persisting primitive reflexes are closely linked to ADHD symptoms. CONCLUSION: The data suggest that ADHD symptoms may be linked to more primitive neural mechanisms interfering with higher brain functions due to insufficiently developed cognitive and motor integration.

• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH