[Disorders of eye movements in schizophrenia--a critical review and future perspectives]

Abstract

Disorders of smooth pursuit eye movements and saccadic eye movements have been reported frequently in schizophrenics. Probably 50% of the schizophrenic probands and of their unaffected relatives perform abnormal smooth pursuit movements. These deficiencies have been regarded as a possible genetic trait marker for schizophrenic vulnerability. Saccadic eye movements have been investigated less intesively. The most prominent pathological feature is a lack of precision of reflexive saccades in case of schizophrenic probands. Although a large body of research has been conducted, the multitude of the results of eye movement disorders in schizophrenics and also technical and methodological problems impair the significance of these findings. In this review, the most important results are critically elaborated and research perspectives are pointed out. A valid identification of eye movement abnormalities is necessary.