RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Blink reflexes in severe traumatic coma. JF Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry JO J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd SP 470 OP 474 DO 10.1136/jnnp.42.5.470 VO 42 IS 5 A1 Buonaguidi, R A1 Rossi, B A1 Sartucci, F A1 Ravelli, V YR 1979 UL http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/42/5/470.abstract AB Blink reflexes were studied in 21 patients in coma after severe head injury. Our observations suggest that blink reflexes are a simple, objective, neurophysiological test to evaluate brainstem function. Correlations between these reflexes and the anatomoclinical stanges of coma and the Glasgow coma scale have been established. Presence of the early R1 component shows the integrity of at least a part of the pontine structures. The appearance of the late R2 component is correlated with a better chance of recovery from coma.