Electronystagmographic study in chronic schizophrenia.

ABSTRACT

The authors reached the neurological and psychiatric diagnosis of chronic schizophrenia in 20 patients after examination of both vestibulooculomotor and visuooculomotor reflexes on electronystagmography. The type and intensity of the disease were established on adequate scales, and the entire group was tested in the remission stage, during the absence of psychotic signs. Electronystagmographic study, particularly the eye-tracking test with caloric modification, revealed the significant pathology of optokinetic nystagmus. The disturbances of the suppression effect of fixation on caloric nystagmus were observed in one-half the cases. Caloric stimulation demonstrated no case of canal paresis and a very small amount of directional preponderance.