title: Abnormal eye movements predict disability in MS: two-year follow-up.
abstract: We conducted a two-year follow-up study of 40 patients with MS in whom we had reported that abnormal eye movements (AEM) were associated with greater general disability. AEM patients (17/40) remained significantly (p < .001) more disabled (median EDSS of 7.0) than those with normal eye movements (median EDSS of 5.0). AEM and great disability were associated with abnormal MRI signals in brainstem or cerebellum, where disease may involve control circuits for eye movements as well as descending motor pathways.
authors.affiliation: Neurology Service, Louis Stokes Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 10701 East Boulevard, Cleveland OH 44106-1702, USA.
authors.forename: Joy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Derwenskus
authors.forename: Janet C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Rucker
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Serra
authors.forename: John S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Stahl
authors.forename: Deborah L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Downey
authors.forename: Nancy L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: R John
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Leigh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009759:Nystagmus, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology; D015835:Ocular Motility Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D011698:Pursuit, Smooth / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome