.

Similarly, you may ask, what causes deep tendon reflexes?

Peripheral neuropathy is today the most common cause of absent reflexes. The causes include diseases such as diabetes, alcoholism, amyloidosis, uremia; vitamin deficiencies such as pellagra, beriberi, pernicious anemia; remote cancer; toxins including lead, arsenic, isoniazid, vincristine, diphenylhydantoin.

what controls deep tendon reflexes? The deep tendon reflexes are mediated by a monosynaptic arc. The afferent limb is provided by sensory fibers, which innervate muscle spindles. These fibers project centrally toward the spinal cord and synapse with alpha motor neurons in the ventral horn.

Similarly, it is asked, what does absent deep tendon reflexes mean?

The normal response is a 'knee jerk'. This is an example of a reflex, which is an involuntary muscular response elicited by the rubber hammer tapping the associated tendon. When reflex responses are absent this could be a clue that the spinal cord, nerve root, peripheral nerve, or muscle has been damaged.

What causes loss of reflexes?

Diabetes induced peripheral neuropathy (the most common sensory neuropathy seen in developed countries), for example, is a relatively common reason for loss of reflexes. Abnormal lower motor neuron (LMN) function will result in decreased or absent reflexes.