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Saccadic eye movements in hyperekplexia
Author(s) -
Tijssen M. A. J.,
Bollen E.,
van Exel E.,
van Dijk J. G.
Publication year - 1995
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.870100608
Subject(s) - saccadic masking , brainstem , psychology , eye movement , reticular formation , electrooculography , reflex , prepulse inhibition , neuroscience , audiology , paramedian pontine reticular formation , moro reflex , medial longitudinal fasciculus , medicine , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , midbrain , stimulation , central nervous system , psychiatry
Hyperekplexia is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by excessive startle responses followed by a temporary generalized stiffness. The startle response is generated in the medial bulbopontine reticular formation in the lower brainstem. The pulse generator of horizontal saccadic eye movements is localized in the pontine parmedian reticular formation. Measurements of horizontal visually evoked random saccades, antisaccades, and saccades toward remembered targets were performed in seven patients with familial hyperekplexia and seven healthy age‐matched controls. The peak velocity of all three kinds of saccades was reduced (p < 0.0001) compared with that of controls. Latencies were marginally longer in the patient group (p = 0.0486). Saccadic gains did not differ between patients and controls. The ability to make antisaccades, saccades toward remembered targets, and the ability to suppress reflex saccades are similar in patients and controls. These data suggest that the origin of the excessive startle response is probably more due to a different modulation in the brainstem than to altered cortical influence.