Acquired pendular nystagmus.
Acquired pendular nystagmus is comprised of quasi-sinusoidal oscillations of the eyes significantly affecting gaze holding and clarity of vision. The most common causes of acquired pendular nystagmus include demyelinating disorders such as multiple sclerosis and the syndrome of ocular palatal tremor. However, several other deficits, such as pharmacological intoxication, metabolic and genetic disorders, and granulomatous disorders can lead to syndromes mimicking acquired pendular nystagmus. Study of the kinematic features of acquired pendular nystagmus has suggested a putative pathophysiology of an otherwise mysterious neurological disorder. Here we review clinical features of neurological deficits that co-occur with acquired pendular nystagmus. Subsequent discussion of the pathophysiology of individual forms of pendular nystagmus speculates on mechanisms of the underlying disease while providing insights into pharmacotherapy of nystagmus.
Department of Neurology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; Daroff-DelOsso Ocular Motility Laboratory, Neurology Service, Louis Stoke VA Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA.
Sarah
S
Kang
Department of Neurology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; Daroff-DelOsso Ocular Motility Laboratory, Neurology Service, Louis Stoke VA Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA. Electronic address: aasefshaikh@gmail.com.
Aasef G
AG
Shaikh
D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000150:complications; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D009759:Nystagmus, Pathologic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D014202:Tremor / Q000150:complications
Degenerative disorder; Demyelination disorder; Multiple sclerosis; Stroke; Toxin exposure