Neurotological findings in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Abstract

Neurotological examinations with special regard to eye movements using electronystagmography (ENG) were performed and analyzed on 22 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Optokinetic nystagmus, pursuit and saccadic eye movements were abnormal in a considerable number of the patients. The incidence of abnormalities correlated to the severity, but not to the duration of illness. The mechanisms of abnormalities of eye movements were considered initially supranuclear, and later both supranuclear and nuclear involvements would play main roles in the appearance of the abnormalities of eye movements.