Pedunculopontine nucleus stimulation induces monocular oscillopsia

J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2009 Feb;80(2):228-31. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.2008.146472.

Abstract

Two patients with Parkinson's disease with pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) stimulation for gait impairments reported "trembling vision" during the setting of the electrical parameters, although there was no clinically observable abnormal eye movement. Oculomotor recordings revealed frequency locked voltage dependent vertical or oblique movements of the eye ipsilateral to the active contact, suggesting current spreading to the mesencephalic oculomotor fibres. These results emphasise the difficulty of stimulating this mesencephalic region.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antiparkinson Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Electric Stimulation / adverse effects
  • Electrodes, Implanted
  • Eye Movements / physiology*
  • Gait Disorders, Neurologic / drug therapy*
  • Gait Disorders, Neurologic / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Levodopa / therapeutic use*
  • Mesencephalon / physiology*
  • Oculomotor Nerve Diseases / etiology*
  • Oculomotor Nerve Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Parkinson Disease / complications*
  • Parkinson Disease / drug therapy*
  • Pedunculopontine Tegmental Nucleus / physiology*
  • Vision, Monocular / physiology*

Substances

  • Antiparkinson Agents
  • Levodopa