Astasia and gait failure with damage of the pontomesencephalic locomotor region.

Although there is evidence in experimental animals of the importance of the pedunculopontine area in locomotion, clinical lesion reports are lacking. An 83-year-old woman became unable to stand and to generate stepping movements after a hemorrhage at the pontomesencephalic junction involving the right pedunculopontine area. Her deficit resembled the gait failure present in some elderly individuals.