Bit of Wisdom 2

Reflex Reflections: Basic Information about Reflexes- Moro

Preface about Primitive Reflexes 

Nature provides each person with a set of involuntary patterns that start before birth and aid development. The Infant Reflex Patterns are automatic motor responses to sensory triggers. Changes in the sensory environment activate an involuntary patterned motor response. These early motor responses start working in utero as the sensory-motor systems of the fetus develop.

As each motor response is activated and sustained, the Upper Brain learns to direct the muscles involved and takes over voluntary control of the muscles that are used in the infant reflex patterns. The Upper Brain takes over, inhibits, and integrates the infant reflexes. Most early infant reflexes are typically inhibited by six months of age. Integration comes with voluntary use of the reflex patterns. Inhibition and integration of primitive reflexes does not mean that the reflexes are gone; these patterns remain stored in the brainstem and midbrain, coming forward as needed to protect and restore development during trauma.

Moro Reflex (2 of 3)

In the last entry, the history, description, development, and persistence of the Moro Reflex were described. 

DEVELOPMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS OF MORO RELFLEX

The Moro Reflex is one of the first reflexes to develop before birth. Moro appears to be important in the development of all work of the core muscles, such as, gravity awareness of the core, diaphragm activation for breathing and protection from falls or attacks, as well as, regulating strong emotions. 

Some experts believe that the typical Moro Reflex develops out of the typical Fear-Paralysis Response. Typical development of Moro ensures a mature Startle Reflex that is easy to re-regulate.

Fear-Paralysis changes eye development

Abnormal Fear-Paralysis can evolve into a hyperactive Moro Reflex. A hyperactive Moro Reflex can lead to a hyper-vigilant adult Startle Reflex that is not easily re-regulated. However, one does not need an abnormal Fear-Paralysis Response to have a persistent Moro Reflex.

ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH MORO REFLEX PERSISTENCE

A hyperactive Moro Reflex can develop into a startle pattern that resists regulation. When that happens, the Autonomic Nervous System can be overwhelmed. The adrenal system can be stressed leading to adrenal fatigue, anxiety and panic attacks later in life.

Moro Reflex connects with
emotional responses

Manic behavior also appears to be linked to an overreactive Startle Reflex. Moro Reflex retention has been correlated with Schizophrenia, ADHD, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in clinical studies. This is NOT to say Moro Reflex causes these issues, but it is a pattern of response in systems with trauma, regulation and neuro-developmental issues.

A hypoactive Moro Reflex can lead to low reactivity, depression, and detachment. I have commonly seen issues with low lymph flow, physical activity levels, and emotional attachment issues related to a hypoactive Moro Reflex.

RELATED REFLEX PATTERNS

A retained, hyperactive Moro Reflex can affect the inhibition and integration of other reflex patterns, especially the Spinal Galant Reflex, Grasp Reflex, and Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR).

Other reflexes can keep the Moro Reflex from inhibition and integration, such as, Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex and Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex, in particular.


Next week, learn about observation and checks for Moro R

For more information about the Moro or other reflexes, contact Janet Oliver for an online mentoring session. These sessions can be lengths of 15 minutes up to 2 hours. Check at www.planforlearning.com for description, costs and contact information.

Checking Moro in Baby

The Moro Reflex develops before birth, but is transformed at birth. Gravitational and body space changes trigger the opening and closing of the core and limbs.

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Bit of Wisdom

Reflex Reflections: Basic Information about Reflexes

Preface about Primitive Reflexes 

Nature provides each person with a set of involuntary patterns that start before birth and aid development. The Infant Reflex Patterns are automatic motor responses to sensory triggers. Changes in the sensory environment activate an involuntary patterned motor response. These early motor responses start working in utero as the sensory-motor systems of the fetus develop.

As each motor response is activated and sustained, the Upper Brain learns to direct the muscles involved and takes over voluntary control of the muscles that are used in the infant reflex patterns. The Upper Brain takes over, inhibits, and integrates the infant reflexes. Most early infant reflexes are typically inhibited by six months of age. Integration comes with voluntary use of the reflex patterns. Inhibition and integration of primitive reflexes does not mean that the reflexes are gone; these patterns remain stored in the brainstem and midbrain, coming forward as needed to protect and restore development during trauma.

Moro Reflex (1 of 3)

HISTORY 

The Moro Reflex is named for Ernst Moro, an Austrian pediatrician, who identified it and described it around 1912. The Moro Reflex is often identified with the Startle Reflex. The adult startle response may be the final developmental version of the infant Moro Reflex.

Startling is a normal reaction to sudden sensory stimuli with a quick re-regulation. Bodily startle with slow re-regulation is one of the symptoms of a persistent Moro Reflex.  A person with persistent Moro Reflex often startles easily and does not calm quickly. 

All reflexes are developmental movement arcs. The Moro Reflex is itself thought to be preceded by the earlier development of the Fear/Paralysis Response. Later the Moro Reflex bridges to later reflexes such as Bonding and Landau Reflex. 

DEVELOPMENT

The Moro Reflex is well documented to start in utero between 8 to 11 weeks as the embryo enters fetal development. It is usually inhibited by 3 to 4 months after birth. Appearance after 6 months is considered abnormal. 

SENSORY TRIGGERS FOR MORO REFLEX

The Moro Reflex, at the start, is a reaction to sudden gravitational or positional change. Babies exhibit Moro first from being suddenly lifted or laid down. The trigger extends the muscles of the core and neck. The arms and legs extend with the digits extended. Next the muscles contract so that the neck and core muscles contract toward the navel. The arms and legs pull in and the digits grasp. 

The lifelong Startle Reflex sometimes begins to develop and is strong enough to trigger the Moro. The jerk of startle activates the Moro as a change in gravity. This is one of the reasons that certain babies need more swaddling, rocking, etc. to be calmed.  The Startle Reflex can be activated by sudden changes in movement, sound, the visual field, light intensity, and touch. If Moro is persistent in later years, these same sensory triggers can become triggers for a persistent Moro Reflex.  

If not re-regulated, the Moro reflexive pattern causes a cascade of feedback reactions. For example, a loud sound causes a Moro reaction, causing the person to touch the sheet suddenly, reactivating the Moro. This chain reaction can make re-regulation very difficult and energy sapping.

Conversely, a Moro Reflex that is hypoactive may be considered a ‘good’ baby who sleeps all the time. This can be a sign that the neuro-system is not reactive enough and may not interact with the environment enough for typical development to occur. There is some evidence that those lacking basic reactivity may become adults who need risky behavior to feel strong emotions. Another profile for a hypoactive Moro development, may be a person with very low emotional responsiveness. 

For more information about the Moro or other reflexes, contact Janet Oliver for an online mentoring session. These sessions can be lengths of 15 minutes up to 2 hours. Check at www.planforlearning.com for description, costs and contact information. 

The next Moro Reflex entry will be about later developmental associations, issues of Moro Reflex Persistence, and related reflex patterns.

Bits of Wisdom

New Life Online for Sensory-Motor-Reflex

I am finally seeing the end of the tunnel for my dissertation on persistent Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (TNR and ATNR), reading and math in Middle School students. As anyone who has trekked the journey to a PhD knows, seeing the end of the tunnel does not mean that you are really close to your end goal in real time. However, I am seeing an end in the distance at last, so I am reestablishing my professional life online. 
I am reviving my blogging on subjects around sensory-motor-reflex and connecting it to my Plan for Learning & Living Facebook page. Tiny Steps, but I am one for planning and this has been in the plans for some time. 
I hope to see you on the journey....I have so much to talk about!