[Downbeat nystagmus during eye closure]

We studied eye movements and clinical findings in 1225 patients with complaints of dizziness. Downbeat nystagmus was demonstrated in 11 patients during eye closure. Simultaneous vertical and horizontal eye recordings were examined to demonstrate vertical eye position during eye closure. Downbeat nystagmus appeared on midline position even during eye closure in six patients. An electrooculography was demonstrated in three out of above six patients. A 24-year-old woman (Case 1) complained of a single spell of vertigo. There was no remarkable finding on neurological examination. An audiogram was an abrupt type sensorineural hearing loss in both ears. A caloric test was normal. Horizontal and vertical smooth pursuit was normal. Optokinetic nystagmus showed normal response in both horizontal and vertical planes. Both eyes were elevated on eye closure. They were depressed to the midline position with mental task and downbeat nystagmus appeared. A 68-year-old man (Case 2) had a history of dizziness on walking of three-year duration. On examination neurological findings were normal. A caloric test was normal in both ears. Optokinetic nystagmus and smooth pursuit were normal in both horizontal and vertical eye recordings. He had a transient eye elevation on eye closure. Both eyes immediately came downward to midline position and downbeat nystagmus was demonstrated. His nystagmus had persisted for four years. A 68-year-old woman (Case 3) complained of positional vertigo of seven-month duration. Neurological findings were normal. A caloric test was normal. There was a conductive hearing loss on the left ear. The right ear showed a normal audiogram.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)