Oculomotor findings in the stages "on" and "off" in Parkinson disease patients
Degl'Innocenti, F.; Ginanneschi, A.; Cipparrone, L.
Rivista di Neurologia 58(5): 210-215
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0035-6344 PMID: 3231990 Document Number: 317751
To study the possible damage of oculomotor structures we have studied 10 patients affected by idiopathic Parkinson's disease with a clear on-off phenomena. All the patients were subjected to an electro-oculographic examination observing qualitative and quantitative parameters in both on and off phases. The two exams were carried out in the same morning. We observed the well known electro-oculographic pattern of parkinsonian syndrome: multiple steps saccades, pursuit alterations, absence of spontaneous or evoked nystagmus. Moreover the most relevant finding consisted in an improvement of some electro-oculographic features during the off phase, contrary to clinical evidence. Such results seem to suggest that oculomotor system is functionally separate from that which controls arm movements.