Cervical and ocular vestibular evoked potentials in Machado–Joseph disease: Functional involvement of otolith pathways

• Published in: Journal of the neurological sciences Vol. 358; no. 1; pp. 294 - 298
• Main Authors: Ribeiro, Rodrigo Souza, Pereira, Melissa Marques, Pedroso, José Luiz, Braga-Neto, Pedro, Barsottini, Orlando Graziani Povoas, Manzano, Gilberto Mastrocola
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 15.11.2015
• Subjects: Adult; Female; Humans; Machado-Joseph Disease - physiopathology; Machado–Joseph disease; Male; Middle Aged; MJD; Neurology; Otolith pathways; Otolithic Membrane - physiopathology; SCA3; Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3; VEMP; Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials; Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials - physiology; Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials; SCA3; MJD; Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3; VEMP; Otolith pathways; Machado–Joseph disease
• ISSN: 0022-510X; 1878-5883
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2015.09.013

Abstract Introduction Machado–Joseph disease is defined as an autosomal dominant ataxic disorder caused by degeneration of the cerebellum and its connections and is associated with a broad range of clinical symptoms. The involvement of the vestibular system is responsible for several symptoms and signs observed in the individuals affected by the disease. We measured cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials in a sample of Machado–Joseph disease patients in order to assess functional pathways involved. Methods Bilateral measures of cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMP and oVEMP) were obtained from 14 symptomatic patients with genetically proven Machado–Joseph disease and compared with those from a control group of 20 healthy subjects. Results Thirteen (93%) patients showed at least one abnormal test result; oVEMP and cVEMP responses were absent in 17/28 (61%) and 11/28 (39%) measures, respectively; and prolonged latency of cVEMP was found in 3/28 (11%) measures. Of the 13 patients with abnormal responses, 9/13 (69%) patients showed discordant abnormal responses: four with absent oVEMP and present cVEMP, two with absent cVEMP and present oVEMP, and three showed unilateral prolonged cVEMP latencies. Conclusion Both otolith-related vestibulocollic and vestibulo-ocular pathways are severely affected in Machado–Joseph disease patients evaluated by VEMPs.