Abnormal ocular motor control in Huntington's disease
Leigh, R.J.; Newman, S.A.; Folstein, S.E.; Lasker, A.G.; Jensen, B.A.
Neurology 33(10): 1268-1275
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0028-3878 PMID: 6225033 Document Number: 200727
Eye movements were studied in 50 patients with Huntington's disease. Fixation was impaired in 73% of patients; such individuals had difficulty in suppressing saccades toward novel visual stimuli. Impaired initiation of saccades was manifest by increased reaction time (89%) and inability to make a saccade without head movement (89%) or blink (35%). Saccades and quick phases of nystagmus were slowed in 62%. Smooth pursuit was abnormal in 60%, and vergence in 33%. The vestibulo-ocular reflex and the ability to hold eccentric gaze were preserved even late in the disease.