Evaluation of Saccadic Abnormalities in Multiple Sclerosis Using a Novel Clinical Saccadometry Test

The clinical saccadometry test is an ocular motor test that provides a functional assessment of the brain regions and circuits involved in the generation of saccadic eye movements. Clinical saccadometry is thought to be more sensitive to concussions and neurodegenerative disorders. The aim of our study was to compare healthy individuals with individuals diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) using a saccadometry test, and to evaluate pro-saccade and anti-saccade performances.

The study included 32 patients (mean age: 41 ± 11.88 years) between the ages of 18-60 years with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), and a healthy control group of 28 individuals (mean age: 37.3 ± 12.2 years). Spontaneous nystagmus, gaze, random saccade, pursuit, and optokinetic and saccadometry tests included in the videonystagmography (VNG) test battery were performed for all participants.

There were no significant differences in random saccade (RS) latencies between the groups (p > 0.05). However, the pro-saccade and anti-saccade latencies were significantly prolonged in the multiple sclerosis (MS) group (p < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in peak velocity and accuracy for random saccades, pro-saccades, and anti-saccades (p > 0.05). Directional error rates in the pro-saccade and anti-saccade tests were significantly different between the MS and control groups (p < 0.05).

The findings of our study show that there are significant differences in saccadometry test results between MS patients and healthy participants. Therefore, the clinical saccadometry test, which is newly added to the VNG test battery and offers short and noninvasive evaluation, could be included in the vestibular test battery for neurodegenerative diseases such as MS.