Ocular motor responses after locked-in syndrome: Sparing of subcortical optokinetic nystagmus?

Abstract

The results of ocular motor examinations in a patient surviving from a locked-in syndrome due to a pontine infarction, mainly on the right side, are presented. Optomotor and vestibular responses were tested. The postrotatory nystagmic response revealed vestibular hyperreactivity and short time constants. Internuclear ophthalmoplegia occurred on both sides. The patient presented evidence of lack of cortical optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) and preservation of subcortical OKN.

Key Words:

• saccade test
• vestibulo-ocular reflex
• subcortical optokinetic nystagmus
• locked-in syndrome