Eye movements in Friedreich's ataxia

Arch Neurol. 1983 Jun;40(6):343-6. doi: 10.1001/archneur.1983.04050060043006.

Abstract

Twenty-four patients with well-documented Friedreich's ataxia underwent quantitative oculomotor testing. A consistent pattern of eye movement abnormalities was observed. This pattern included fixation instability, inaccurate saccades with normal peak velocity, impaired smooth pursuit and optokinetic slow phases, decreased vestibulo-ocular reflex gain, and impaired visual-vestibular interaction. This pattern corresponds to the known pathologic changes of Friedreich's ataxia and can be useful in the differential diagnosis of cerebellar atrophy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Eye / physiopathology
  • Eye Movements*
  • Female
  • Friedreich Ataxia / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nystagmus, Physiologic
  • Reflex / physiology
  • Vestibular Function Tests
  • Vision Tests