The clinical features of functional (psychogenic) eye movements
File(s)Kaski_et_al__2016_JNNP_revised 10_9_16.docx (54.82 KB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Kaski, D
Pradhan, V
Bronstein, A
Type
Conference Paper
Abstract
Functional (psychogenic) eye movements include convergence spasm, functional limitation of gaze, functional (or “voluntary” nystagmus), and functional convergence paralysis. Despite an increasing awareness of the high prevalence of functional neurological disorders, there has been no systematic clinical evaluation of functional eye movement disorders, or appreciation of the scale of the problem. We performed a retrospective review of patient case records attending two specialist neuro-otology outpatient clinics to determine the prevalence and clinical phenotype of functional eye movement disorders. Our results have confirmed that functional eye movements are a common presentation to neuro-otology clinics, with a prevalence of upto 4%. Convergence spasm and functional limitation of gaze are the commonest types seen in our clinics. Almost half the patients with a functional eye movement disorder had an associated functional non-ocular movement disorder, most commonly affecting gait. Early identification of functional eye movements may contribute to a positive diagnosis of a functional movement disorder, and prevent unnecessary – and potentially harmful – invasive investigations and treatments.
Date Issued
2016-11-15
Date Acceptance
2016-05-17
Citation
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, 2016, 87 (12)
ISSN
1468-330X
Publisher
BMJ Publishing Group
Journal / Book Title
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry
Volume
87
Issue
12
Copyright Statement
© 2016 The Author(s). Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/
Sponsor
Medical Research Council (MRC)
Identifier
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000389472700029&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Grant Number
MR/J004685/1
Source
Annual Meeting of the Association-of-British-Neurologists (ABN)
Subjects
Science & Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Clinical Neurology
Psychiatry
Surgery
Neurosciences & Neurology
Publication Status
Published
Start Date
2016-05-17
Finish Date
2016-05-19
Coverage Spatial
Brighton, ENGLAND