Related Experiment Videos
Reflex blepharospasm associated with bilateral basal ganglia lesion
R Larumbe1, J Vaamonde, J Artieda
1Department of Neurology, University of Navarra Medical School, Pamplona, Spain.
Summary
Anoxia-induced brain lesions caused blepharospasm, parkinsonism, and dystonia. This suggests basal ganglia dysfunction may trigger blepharospasm by affecting facial nerve excitability.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
- Movement Disorders
Background:
- Bilateral striatal lesions can result from anoxic brain injury.
- Blepharospasm, parkinsonism, and dystonia are neurological movement disorders.
Observation:
- A patient with bilateral striatal lesions from anoxia exhibited reflex blepharospasm.
- The patient also presented with symptoms of parkinsonism and limb dystonia.
Findings:
- The patient's blink reflex excitability curve was enhanced, with a prolonged R-2 response, similar to essential blepharospasm.
- These findings link basal ganglia dysfunction to blepharospasm.
Implications:
- Blepharospasm may arise from basal ganglia dysfunction.
- Abnormal facilitation of reticular formation neurons could underlie blepharospasm via facial nucleus motoneuron excitability.