title: The effect of hyperventilation on downbeat nystagmus in cerebellar disorders.
abstract: Hyperventilation can affect nystagmus in patients with vestibular disorders. However, the effects on nystagmus in patients with cerebellar disease have not been systematically studied. Using the magnetic field search coil technique, we studied the effects of hyperventilation on nystagmus in a series of cerebellar patients. In four of eight patients, hyperventilation produced an increase in the slow-phase velocity of downbeat nystagmus. We speculate that this effect may be mediated through metabolic effects on cerebellar calcium channels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. mwalker@dizzy.med.jhu.edu
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Zee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002526:Cerebellar Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006985:Hyperventilation / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008280:Magnetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009760:Nystagmus, Physiologic