apneusis) is an abnormal pattern of breathing characterized by deep, gasping inspiration with a pause at full inspiration followed by a brief, insufficient release.
Accompanying signs and symptoms may include decerebrate posturing; fixed, dilated pupils; coma or profound stupor; quadriparesis; absent corneal reflex; negative oculocephalic reflex; and obliteration of the gag reflex.
Specifically, concurrent removal of input from the vagus nerve and the pneumotaxic center causes this pattern of breathing.
It is an ominous sign, with a generally poor prognosis.
It can also be temporarily caused by some drugs, such as ketamine.