Hyperreflexia is defined as overactive or overresponsive reflexes. Examples of this can include twitching or spastic tendencies, which are indicative of upper motor neuron disease as well as the lessening or loss of control ordinarily exerted by higher brain centers of lower neural pathways (disinhibition).

Causes

---

The most common cause of "hyper-reflexia" is spinal cord injury. Standard stimuli like the filling of the bladder can cause excessive responses from the nervous system.

But Hyperreflexia can be developed via many other causes, including medication and stimulant side effects, and severe brain trauma.

Treatment

---

Treatment is dependant on the cause. Should it be caused by illicit or genuine use of medication/stimulants, then it may involve removing these drugs from their healthcare. As long as the cause can be determined, then treatment can be recommended.

See also

---

• Hyporeflexia

External links

---

• NIH/Medline

Medical signs