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Abnormal ocular motor control in Huntington's disease.

R J Leigh, S A Newman, S E Folstein

|October 1, 1983

Summary

Huntington's disease significantly impairs eye movements, particularly fixation and saccade initiation. However, the vestibulo-ocular reflex remains intact even in advanced stages.

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Ophthalmology
Neurology

Background:

Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder.
Ocular motor dysfunction is a common but not fully characterized feature of HD.

Purpose of the Study:

To comprehensively assess various aspects of eye movement control in patients with Huntington's disease.

Main Methods:

Evaluated 50 patients with Huntington's disease.
Assessed fixation, saccades, smooth pursuit, vergence, vestibulo-ocular reflex, and eccentric gaze holding.

Main Results:

73% of patients had impaired fixation, with difficulty suppressing saccades.
Saccade initiation was impaired in 89% (delayed reaction time, head movements, blinking).

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Saccades and nystagmus quick phases were slowed in 62%; smooth pursuit in 60%; vergence in 33%.

Conclusions:

Eye movement abnormalities are prevalent in Huntington's disease, affecting fixation, saccades, pursuit, and vergence.
The vestibulo-ocular reflex and eccentric gaze holding are preserved, suggesting differential vulnerability of ocular motor pathways.