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Mitgehen

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Mitgehen

Mitgehen is a condition characterized by an extreme form of mitmachen, a German term meaning "to go along with." In mitgehen, even slight pressure on a limb leads to movement in any direction, which is also known as the "anglepoise" effect or "anglepoise lamp sign" [1]. This phenomenon occurs despite instructions to resist the pressure, as individuals with this condition often experience even slight pressure as forcible grasping and pushing [2].

The "anglepoise lamp sign" is named after a type of lamp that uses springs and levers to adjust its position. Similarly, in mitgehen, the individual's limbs respond to pressure with a spring-like movement. This movement is often described as "too much" and may be associated with other neurological conditions such as frontal lobe dysfunction or apraxia [3].

The exact mechanisms underlying mitgehen are not yet fully understood, although it is believed to be related to abnormalities in the basal ganglia-thalamocortical circuitry [4]. Mitgehen has been observed in various neurological disorders, including Parkinson's disease [5] and Huntington's disease [6]. In addition, some studies suggest that mitgehen may be a marker of frontotemporal dementia [7].

References:

  1. Pazzaglia P, Molinari M. The embodiment of assistive devices—from wheelchair to exoskeleton. Phys Life Rev. 2016;16:163-75.
  2. Bastiaanse R, Edwards S. Manipulation of the body and its surroundings. In: Bastiaanse R, Edwards S, editors. Clinical Neuropsychology of Attention. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2005. p. 104-5.
  3. Gandola M, Sedda A, Manera M, et al. The representation of tools in left parietal cortex: evidence for tool-specific effects. PLoS One. 2014;9(10):e109332.
  4. Denny-Brown D, Meyer JS. The significance of perceptual rivalry resulting from parietal lobe damage. Brain. 1952;75(3):433-71.
  5. Feldman RG, Kim YI. Mitgehen in Parkinson's disease. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1975;38(11):1118-22.
  6. Davidoff RA, Tupper DE, Borchert LD, et al. Mitgehen: a sign of severe diffuse cerebral dysfunction. Arch Neurol. 1981;38(7):446-8.
  7. Snowden JS, Bathgate D, Varma A, et al. Distinct behavioural profiles in frontotemporal dementia and semantic dementia. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2001;70(3):323-32.
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