title: Diagnostic value of blink reflex in multisystem atrophy, progressive supranuclear palsy and Parkinson disease.
abstract: Abnormal blink reflex (BR) is a result of reticular brainstem pathways dysfunction and seems to be one of the features of brain degenerative disorders. The aim of the study was to estimate the diagnostic value of blink reflex in neurodegenerative diseases such as: multisystem atrophy (MSA), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and Parkinson disease (PD). Material consisted of 99 patients with clinically probable MSA (51), PSP (28) and PD (20). MSA patients were divided into two subgroups, with dominant cerebellar (MSA-C) and parkinsonian signs (MSA-P). The mean age of patients was 64.9 years (47-79 years); males - 55.3%. Blink reflex was obtained in a typical way.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The significant differences in mean values of blink reflex latencies between PD and other subgroups (MSA-P, MSA-C, PSP) were found, but all of them were in normal range. In individual patients with PD and PSP (50% and 18%, respectively) delayed R2 latencies were recorded.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The most frequently abnormal blink reflexes, comparing the MSA, PSP and PD groups, were present in PD patients. We postulate that this may be explained by pathological influence of nigrostriatal pathway on the circuit linking the basal ganglia, cerebellum and brainstem.
authors: Department of Neurology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland. Electronic address: ela.szmidt@wp.pl.
authors: Elzbieta
authors: E
authors: Szmidt-Salkowska
authors: Department of Neurology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland. Electronic address: mgawel@wum.edu.pl.
authors: Malgorzata
authors: M
authors: Gawel
authors: Department of Neurology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland. Electronic address: zygmunt.jamrozik@wum.edu.pl.
authors: Zygmunt
authors: Z
authors: Jamrozik
authors: Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
authors: Joanna
authors: J
authors: Salkowska-Wanat
authors: Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Warsaw, Poland. Electronic address: Polandgawel@cmkp.edu.pl.
authors: Damian
authors: D
authors: Gawel
authors: Department of Neurology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Kaminska
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D001767:Blinking; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019578:Multiple System Atrophy / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009431:Neural Conduction; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D013494:Supranuclear Palsy, Progressive / Q000175:diagnosis*
keywords: Blink reflex; Multisystem atrophy; Parkinson disease; Progressive supranuclear palsy