title: Optokinetic reflex dysfunction in multiple sclerosis.
abstract: The aim of this study was to further investigate optokinetic reflex function in multiple sclerosis. Gaze-holding in darkness, optokinetic nystagmus, optokinetic afternystagmus and latency to circularvection were measured using electro-oculography and a rotating optokinetic drum. Gaze-holding was not significantly different between the multiple sclerosis and control groups; however, four of 23 multiple sclerosis patients exhibited eccentric gaze-evoked nystagmus. There were no significant differences in either optokinetic nystagmus frequency or latency to circularvection. However, optokinetic nystagmus slow phase velocity during rise time and amplitude during beat time were significantly reduced in the multiple sclerosis group (p < 0.05 and p < 0.0001, respectively). The time constant of optokinetic afternystagmus was also significantly reduced in the multiple sclerosis group (p < 0.005). These results indicate that optokinetic nystagmus and optokinetic afternystagmus are significantly impaired multiple sclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology and the Neuroscience Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Todd
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Darlington
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D017120:Nystagmus, Optokinetic / Q000276:immunology*; D015835:Ocular Motility Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000276:immunology; D012027:Reflex, Vestibulo-Ocular / Q000276:immunology; D014726:Vestibular Nuclei / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology