The influence of physostigmine on visual-vestibular interaction in hereditary ataxias

• Published in: Journal of neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry Vol. 48; no. 10; pp. 977 - 981
• Main Authors: Tijssen, C C, Endtz, L J, Goor, C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 01.10.1985; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Cerebellar Ataxia - drug therapy; Cerebellar Ataxia - genetics; Cerebellar Ataxia - physiopathology; Cholinergic Fibers - physiology; Fixation, Ocular; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Neurology; Nystagmus, Pathologic - drug therapy; Nystagmus, Pathologic - physiopathology; Physostigmine - therapeutic use; Vascular diseases and vascular malformations of the nervous system; Vestibule, Labyrinth - physiopathology; Vision, Ocular - physiology; Human; Nervous system diseases; Vestibulometry; Visual fixation; Caloric vestibular test; Nystagmus test; Spinocerebellous heredodegeneration
• ISSN: 0022-3050; 1468-330X
• DOI: 10.1136/jnnp.48.10.977

Visual suppression of caloric nystagmus was studied in five patients with hereditary ataxia before and after administration of physostigmine. All patients had an initial abnormal ocular fixation index that improved after physostigmine was given. The data indicate that there is a partly reversible disturbance of visual-vestibular interaction in patients with hereditary ataxia, caused by an impairment of a central cholinergic mechanism.