Why Is Decerebrate Posturing Worse?

While decorticate posturing is still an ominous sign of severe brain damage, decerebrate posturing is usually indicative of more severe damage at the rubrospinal tract, and hence, the red nucleus is also involved, indicating a lesion lower in the brainstem.

What does Decerebrate posturing indicate?

Decerebrate posture is an abnormal body posture that involves the arms and legs being held straight out, the toes being pointed downward, and the head and neck being arched backward. The muscles are tightened and held rigidly. This type of posturing usually means there has been severe damage to the brain.

Can you survive Decerebrate posturing?

Good recovery was achieved in 16% of decerebrate patients, while 12.1% survived in prolonged coma or with severe disabilities.