<p>Primitive reflexes originate in the brainstem.</p>

<h3>References</h3>

<blockquote>
  <ul>
  <li>Shewmon, D.A. (1988) Anencephaly: selected medical aspects. Hastings Cent. Rep. 18(5):11-19.</li>
  <li>Stumpf, D.A., Cranford, R.E., Elias, S., Fost, N.C., McQuillen, M.P., Myer, E.C., Poland, R., Queenan, J.T. (1990) The Infant with Anencephaly. 
  NEJM. 322:669-674.</li>
  </ul>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-07-16T07:31:27.950Z
2013-07-16T07:31:27.950Z
John Pick
<p>It seems that there is not much research concerning the anatomical localization of primitive reflexes. For instance, Schott &amp; Rossor (2003) state in the conclusion of their review</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>The complexity of
  many of these responses makes it perhaps unsurprising that
  detailed anatomical localisation, despite the availability of
  structural and functional imaging, has in general not been
  possible.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>However, at least for the grasp reflex, they discuss an involvement of frontal areas. </p>

<p><strong>References</strong><br>
Schott, JM Rossor M (2003). The grasp and other primitive reflexes. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 74(5): 558–560. <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jnnp.74.5.558">[DOI]</a> <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1738455/pdf/v074p00558.pdf">[PDF]</a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-07-18T18:08:30.183Z
AFAIK, the involvement of the frontal areas is that they inhibit primitive reflexes.
John Pick
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-07-18T18:17:50.427Z
I only recited what they wrote. But actually I think the same like you.
H.Muster
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-07-18T07:15:31.467Z
2012-07-18T07:30:38.250Z
2012-07-18T07:30:38.250Z
H.Muster
<p>The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primitive_reflexes" rel="nofollow">Wikipedia article on primitive reflexes</a>, or newborn reflexes, states that they originate in the CNS. Here's the list of reflexes from the article:</p>

<ul>
<li>Moro</li>
<li>Walking/stepping</li>
<li>Rooting</li>
<li>Sucking</li>
<li>Tonic neck</li>
<li>Palmar grasp</li>
<li>Plantar</li>
<li>Galant</li>
<li>Swimming</li>
<li>Babkin</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Precisely where in the CNS do they originate?</strong></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-07-14T18:05:35.450Z
This is not one question.
Artem Kaznatcheev
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-07-14T20:07:32.653Z
Asking "where" may not be as meaningful as you think, as many of these are not "reflexes" in the traditional sense (compared to something like the patellar tendon reflex).  Something like the swimming reflex might be composed of several spinal pattern generator circuits, which are difficult to isolate in humans.
Chuck Sherrington
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-07-14T20:08:53.633Z
The plantar is probably a good angle from which to start investigating these phenomena, as there's plenty of information about its origins and its manifestation in stroke victims or other victims of upper motorneuronal damage.
Chuck Sherrington
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-07-16T06:41:15.133Z
I believe I've found a single answer for all the primitive reflexes, so I revised the question to reflect that a single answer is expected. I'd like to reopen the question and answer it.
John Pick
<neuroscience>
Neural basis of primitive (newborn) reflexes
John Pick
# Neural basis of primitive (newborn) reflexes

(Asked by: username_0 on 2012-07-14)

The [Wikipedia article on primitive reflexes](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primitive_reflexes), or newborn reflexes, states that they originate in the CNS. Here's the list of reflexes from the article:

* Moro
* Walking/stepping
* Rooting
* Sucking
* Tonic neck
* Palmar grasp
* Plantar
* Galant
* Swimming
* Babkin

**Precisely where in the CNS do they originate?**

**Tags:** neuroscience

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: This is not one question.  
> **username_2**: Asking "where" may not be as meaningful as you think, as many of these are not "reflexes" in the traditional sense (compared to something like the patellar tendon reflex).  Something like the swimming reflex might be composed of several spinal pattern generator circuits, which are difficult to isolate in humans.  
> **username_2**: The plantar is probably a good angle from which to start investigating these phenomena, as there's plenty of information about its origins and its manifestation in stroke victims or other victims of upper motorneuronal damage.  
> **username_0**: I believe I've found a single answer for all the primitive reflexes, so I revised the question to reflect that a single answer is expected. I'd like to reopen the question and answer it.  

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_0 on 2013-07-16. Score: 0 | Accepted answer

Primitive reflexes originate in the brainstem.

### References

> * Shewmon, D.A. (1988) Anencephaly: selected medical aspects. Hastings Cent. Rep. 18(5):11-19.
> * Stumpf, D.A., Cranford, R.E., Elias, S., Fost, N.C., McQuillen, M.P., Myer, E.C., Poland, R., Queenan, J.T. (1990) The Infant with Anencephaly.
>   NEJM. 322:669-674.


---

### Answer by username_3 on 2012-07-18. Score: 8

It seems that there is not much research concerning the anatomical localization of primitive reflexes. For instance, Schott & Rossor (2003) state in the conclusion of their review

> The complexity of
> many of these responses makes it perhaps unsurprising that
> detailed anatomical localisation, despite the availability of
> structural and functional imaging, has in general not been
> possible.

However, at least for the grasp reflex, they discuss an involvement of frontal areas.

**References**  
Schott, JM Rossor M (2003). The grasp and other primitive reflexes. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 74(5): 558–560. [[DOI]](http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jnnp.74.5.558) [[PDF]](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1738455/pdf/v074p00558.pdf)

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: AFAIK, the involvement of the frontal areas is that they inhibit primitive reflexes.  
> **username_3**: I only recited what they wrote. But actually I think the same like you.  

---

