Vertical and horizontal saccadic eye movements in Parkinson's disease

Abstract

Vertical and horizontal saccades of 13 patients with Parkinson's disease were compared with those often age-matched controls using a ‘reflex’ paradigm. Contrary to previous suggestions that vertical eye movements are impaired or limited in Parkinson's disease, this study found no difference between patients and controls. There were no significant differences between groups in saccadic latency, gain, duration or peak velocity. This is in agreement with other studies of Parkinsonian saccades which have looked at horizontal ‘reflex’ (as opposed to ‘voluntary’) saccades. Within groups, a significant correlation was found between the latencies of vertical and horizontal saccades, but not the other saccadic parameters tested.

Key Words:

• Parkinson's disease
• vertical saccades