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Vertical optokinetic nystagmus in Parkinson's disease
Author(s) -
Knapp Christopher M.,
Gottlob Irene,
McLean Rebecca J.,
Rajabally Yusuf A.,
Abbott Richard J.,
Rafelt Suzanne,
Proudlock Frank A.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
movement disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.352
H-Index - 198
eISSN - 1531-8257
pISSN - 0885-3185
DOI - 10.1002/mds.22634
Subject(s) - optokinetic reflex , parkinson's disease , nystagmus , medicine , degenerative disease , physical medicine and rehabilitation , audiology , neuroscience , psychology , ophthalmology , central nervous system disease , eye movement , disease , pathology
Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with a number of oculomotor deficits; however, little is known about changes in vertical optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) associated with PD. We recorded eye movements in 14 PD patients and 14 age‐matched controls in response to large field OKN stimulation using stimulus velocities of 20°/second and 40°/second. We compared asymmetry of horizontal and vertical responses in the two groups. We found vertical OKN to be strongly asymmetric in PD with reduced gains for downward‐moving stimuli. This asymmetry was significantly greater than that recorded in control volunteers. We postulate that this could result from an abnormal pursuit/early OKN system in PD leading to greater influence of the delayed OKN system. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society