From the Guidelines
The hand of papal benediction is a gesture where the ring finger and little finger are folded down while the thumb, index, and middle fingers remain extended, symbolizing the Holy Trinity and the dual nature of Christ. This gesture is also known as the "Benedictio Latina" or Latin blessing, and is used by the Pope during formal blessings to the faithful, particularly during significant ceremonies or when addressing large crowds. In the context of neurological examination, a similar hand posture, known as "alien hand", can be a symptom of certain neurological disorders, such as corticobasal syndrome, as mentioned in a study published in the journal Brain 1. However, the hand of papal benediction is a deliberate and meaningful gesture, distinct from any involuntary or pathological movement. Some key features of the hand of papal benediction include:
- The thumb, index, and middle fingers are extended
- The ring finger and little finger are folded down
- The gesture symbolizes the Holy Trinity and the dual nature of Christ
- It is used by the Pope during formal blessings to impart spiritual blessing.
From the Research
Hand of Papel Benediction
There is no direct information available on the topic of "Hand of Papel Benediction" in the provided studies.
Related Information
- The studies provided focus on the use of baclofen for treating spasticity and its associated neurological adverse events 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Baclofen is a muscle relaxant that can be administered orally or intrathecally to manage spasticity in individuals with spinal cord injuries or other spinal cord pathologies 2, 3, 4, 5.
- The medication has been associated with potential complications, including life-threatening toxicity and withdrawal syndrome 4.
- Research suggests that baclofen may also have a role in neuroprotection after spinal cord injury 5.
- A longitudinal study found that baclofen use was associated with higher rates of marked neurologic recovery in patients with traumatic acute spinal cord injury 6.
Neurological Adverse Events
- A disproportional analysis of the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System database found 119 significant signals associated with baclofen use, including somnolence, tremor, lethargy, and seizures 2.
- The study also detected unexpected significant neurological adverse events, such as intracranial hypotension, cognitive disorder, and metabolic encephalopathy 2.