Figure 79-2 A, The patient 2 minutes before the onset of movements. Beginning in B, photographs are taken at approximately 5-second intervals 6 minutes after removing the ventilator. B, The arms are brought rapidly to the sternum, with the wrists remaining limp. C, The arms are then raised above the body several inches, and the wrists are brought to a neutral position. D, Over approximately 2 seconds, the hands are brought together by shoulder adduction and held for approximately 5 seconds. E, The position is released, and the elbows are extended to bring the limbs back to the bed. The head and torso showed no movement. (From Ropper AH: Unusual spontaneous movements in brain-dead patients. Neurology 34:1089, 1984.)