Korda, AthanasiaAthanasiaKordaZee, David SDavid SZeeWyss Balmer, Thomas WernerThomas WernerWyss Balmer0000-0002-3701-4989Zamaro, EwaEwaZamaroCaversaccio, MarcoMarcoCaversaccioWagner, FrancaFrancaWagnerKalla, RogerRogerKallaMantokoudis, GeorgiosGeorgiosMantokoudis2024-10-052024-10-052021-08https://boris-portal.unibe.ch/handle/20.500.12422/56970BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE A peripheral spontaneous nystagmus (SN) is typically enhanced or revealed by removing fixation. Conversely, failure of fixation suppression of SN is usually a sign of a central disorder. Based on Luebke and Robinson (Vision Res 1988, vol. 28 (8), pp. 941-946), who suggested that the normal fixation mechanism is disengaged during pursuit, it is hypothesized that vertical tracking in the light would bring out or enhance a horizontal SN. METHODS Eighteen patients with acute vestibular neuritis were studied. Eye movements were recorded using video-oculography at straight-ahead gaze with and without visual fixation, and during smooth pursuit. The slow-phase velocity and the fixation suppression indices of nystagmus (relative to SN in darkness) were compared in each condition. RESULTS During vertical tracking, the slow-phase velocity of horizontal SN with eyes near straight-ahead gaze was significantly higher (median 2.7°/s) than under static visual fixation (median 1.2°/s). Likewise, the fixation index was significantly higher (worse suppression) during pursuit (median 48%) than during fixation (median 26%). A release of SN was also suggested during horizontal pursuit, if one assumes superposition of SN on a normal and symmetrical pursuit capability.enfixation suppression nystagmus pursuit vestibular600 - Technology::610 - Medicine & healtharticle10.48350/1572913398364510.1111/ene.14909