Abnormal Oculomotor Functions in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Journal of Clinical Neurology
; : 464-471, 2018.
Article
in En
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-717429
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WPRO
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although traditionally regarded as spared, a range of oculomotor dysfunction has been recognized in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. ALS is nowadays considered as a neurodegenerative disorder of a third compartment comprising widespread areas of extra-motor brain including cerebellum. Our objective was to perform an observational study to examine for ocular motor dysfunction in patients with ALS and for any differences between bulbar-onset and spinal-onset patients. METHODS: Thirty two ALS patients (bulbar onset: 10, spinal onset: 22) underwent the standardized systemic evaluations using video-oculography. RESULTS: Oculomotor dysfunctions such as square wave jerks, saccadic dysmetria, abnormal cogwheeling smooth pursuits and head shaking and positional nystagmus of central origin have been observed in the ALS patients at a relatively early stage. Abnormal smooth pursuits and saccadic dysmetria were increased in the bulbar-onset compared to the spinal-onset (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These oculomotor abnormalities may be a marker of neuro-degeneration beyond motor neurons in ALS, especially in bulbar-onset disease. Future longitudinal studies of eye movement abnormalities have provided insights into the distribution and nature of the disease process.
Key words
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Index:
WPRIM
Main subject:
Pursuit, Smooth
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Brain
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Nystagmus, Physiologic
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Cerebellar Ataxia
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Cerebellum
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Longitudinal Studies
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Neurodegenerative Diseases
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Eye Movements
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Observational Study
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Head
Type of study:
Observational_studies
Limits:
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Journal of Clinical Neurology
Year:
2018
Type:
Article