Blepharospasm associated with olivopontocerebellar atrophy
Janati, A.; Metzer, W.S.; Archer, R.L.; Nickols, J.; Raval, J.
Journal of Clinical Neuro-Ophthalmology 9(4): 281-284
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0272-846X PMID: 2531169 Document Number: 336226
We report two cases of cranial dystonia (blepharospasm) associated with olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA). The pathophysiology of blepharospasm appears to involve an increased excitability of the interneurons of the blink and corneal reflexes. It is hypothesized that blepharospasm associated with OPCA might be due to rostral brainstem lesions disrupting central dopaminergic and cholinergic pathways, resulting in disinhibition of brainstem reflexes or denervation supersensitivity of the facial nuclear complex.