Pathological yawning as a presenting symptom of brain stem ischaemia in two patients.

Cattaneo, L; Cucurachi, L; Chierici, E; Pavesi, G · J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry · 2006

case_report · Level V

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Abstract

Two cases of brain stem stroke involving the upper pons and the ponto-mesencephalic junction presented with transient excessive pathological yawning, associated with gait ataxia and in one subject with upper limb and facial hemiparesis. A causal relation is hypothesised between the brain stem lesion and pathological yawning, possibly related to denervation hypersensitivity of a putative brain stem yawn centre. Excessive yawning may herald brain stem ischaemia.

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