The startle syndrome
Brown P.
In summary, hyperekplexia is characterised by an abnormal startle response that is relayed in the brainstem and likely involves a pathological exaggeration of the physiological startle reflex. The physiological and pathological startle responses are mutable, being modulated by a number of factors, including posture and gait. The hyperekplectic startle is but one of several abnormal features in hyperekplexia, reflecting the distributed nature of glycinergic receptors within the central nervous system.