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Cornforth E, Schmahmann JD. Physical Therapy and Aminopyridine for Downbeat Nystagmus Syndrome: A Case Report. J Neurol Phys Ther 2024:01253086-990000000-00067. [PMID: 38898545 DOI: 10.1097/npt.0000000000000485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Individuals with downbeat nystagmus (DBN) syndrome present with DBN, dizziness, blurred vision, and unsteady gait. Pharmacological intervention with 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) may be effective in improving oculomotor function, but there is minimal evidence to date that it improves gait. This suggests the possible benefit of combining pharmacotherapy with physical therapy to maximize outcomes. This case report documents improvements in gait and balance after physical therapy and aminopyridine (AP) in an individual with DBN syndrome. CASE DESCRIPTION The patient was a 70-year-old man with a 4-year history of worsening dizziness and imbalance, diagnosed with DBN syndrome. He demonstrated impaired oculomotor function, dizziness, and imbalance, which resulted in falls and limited community ambulation. INTERVENTION The patient completed a customized, tapered course of physical therapy over 6 months. Outcome measures included the 10-meter walk test, the Timed Up and Go (TUG), the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), and the modified clinical test of sensory integration and balance. OUTCOMES Improvements exceeding minimal detectable change were demonstrated on the TUG and the DGI. Gait speed on the 10-meter walk test did not change significantly, but the patient was able to use a cane to ambulate in the community and reported no further falls. DISCUSSION Controlled studies are needed to explore the potential for AP to augment physical therapy in people with DBN syndrome. Physical therapists are encouraged to communicate with referring medical providers about the use of AP as pharmacotherapy along with physical therapy for individuals with DBN syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Cornforth
- Author Affiliations: MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA and Department of Physical Therapy, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, MA (E.C.); and Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Ataxia Center, Cognitive Behavioral Neurology Unit, Laboratory for Neuroanatomy and Cerebellar Neurobiology, Boston, MA (J.D.S.)
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Marcelli V, Giannoni B, Volpe G, Faralli M, Fetoni AR, Pettorossi VE. Downbeat nystagmus: a clinical and pathophysiological review. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1394859. [PMID: 38854962 PMCID: PMC11157062 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1394859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Downbeat nystagmus (DBN) is a neuro-otological finding frequently encountered by clinicians dealing with patients with vertigo. Since DBN is a finding that should be understood because of central vestibular dysfunction, it is necessary to know how to frame it promptly to suggest the correct diagnostic-therapeutic pathway to the patient. As knowledge of its pathophysiology has progressed, the importance of this clinical sign has been increasingly understood. At the same time, clinical diagnostic knowledge has increased, and it has been recognized that this sign may occur sporadically or in association with others within defined clinical syndromes. Thus, in many cases, different therapeutic solutions have become possible. In our work, we have attempted to systematize current knowledge about the origin of this finding, the clinical presentation and current treatment options, to provide an overview that can be used at different levels, from the general practitioner to the specialist neurologist or neurotologist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Marcelli
- Audiology and Vestibology Unit, Department of ENT, Ospedale del Mare, ASL Napoli 1 Centro, Napoli, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Dentistry, Section of Audiology, University of Naples ‘’Federico II’’, Napoli, Italy
| | - Beatrice Giannoni
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug’s Area and Child’s Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Giampiero Volpe
- Department of Neurology, Ospedale San Luca di Vallo della Lucania, ASL Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Mario Faralli
- Department of ENT, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Anna Rita Fetoni
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Dentistry, Section of Audiology, University of Naples ‘’Federico II’’, Napoli, Italy
| | - Vito E. Pettorossi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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Pellerin D, Heindl F, Traschütz A, Rujescu D, Hartmann AM, Brais B, Houlden H, Dufke C, Riess O, Haack T, Strupp M, Synofzik M. RFC1 repeat expansions in downbeat nystagmus syndromes: frequency and phenotypic profile. J Neurol 2024; 271:2886-2892. [PMID: 38381176 PMCID: PMC11055689 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-024-12229-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The cause of downbeat nystagmus (DBN) remains unknown in a substantial number of patients ("idiopathic"), although intronic GAA expansions in FGF14 have recently been shown to account for almost 50% of yet idiopathic cases. Here, we hypothesized that biallelic RFC1 expansions may also represent a recurrent cause of DBN syndrome. METHODS We genotyped the RFC1 repeat and performed in-depth phenotyping in 203 patients with DBN, including 65 patients with idiopathic DBN, 102 patients carrying an FGF14 GAA expansion, and 36 patients with presumed secondary DBN. RESULTS Biallelic RFC1 AAGGG expansions were identified in 15/65 patients with idiopathic DBN (23%). None of the 102 GAA-FGF14-positive patients, but 2/36 (6%) of patients with presumed secondary DBN carried biallelic RFC1 expansions. The DBN syndrome in RFC1-positive patients was characterized by additional cerebellar impairment in 100% (15/15), bilateral vestibulopathy (BVP) in 100% (15/15), and polyneuropathy in 80% (12/15) of cases. Compared to GAA-FGF14-positive and genetically unexplained patients, RFC1-positive patients had significantly more frequent neuropathic features on examination and BVP. Furthermore, vestibular function, as measured by the video head impulse test, was significantly more impaired in RFC1-positive patients. DISCUSSION Biallelic RFC1 expansions are a common monogenic cause of DBN syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Pellerin
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Hospital and Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London, London, UK
| | - Felix Heindl
- Department of Neurology and German Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
| | - Andreas Traschütz
- Division Translational Genomics of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research and Center of Neurology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Dan Rujescu
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Comprehensive Center for Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health (C3NMH), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Annette M Hartmann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Comprehensive Center for Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health (C3NMH), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Bernard Brais
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Hospital and Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Centre de Réadaptation Lucie-Bruneau, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Henry Houlden
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London, London, UK
| | - Claudia Dufke
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Olaf Riess
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Tobias Haack
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Michael Strupp
- Department of Neurology and German Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
| | - Matthis Synofzik
- Division Translational Genomics of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research and Center of Neurology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen, Germany.
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Pellerin D, Heindl F, Wilke C, Danzi MC, Traschütz A, Ashton C, Dicaire MJ, Cuillerier A, Del Gobbo G, Boycott KM, Claassen J, Rujescu D, Hartmann AM, Zuchner S, Brais B, Strupp M, Synofzik M. GAA-FGF14 disease: defining its frequency, molecular basis, and 4-aminopyridine response in a large downbeat nystagmus cohort. EBioMedicine 2024; 102:105076. [PMID: 38507876 PMCID: PMC10960126 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND GAA-FGF14 disease/spinocerebellar ataxia 27B is a recently described neurodegenerative disease caused by (GAA)≥250 expansions in the fibroblast growth factor 14 (FGF14) gene, but its phenotypic spectrum, pathogenic threshold, and evidence-based treatability remain to be established. We report on the frequency of FGF14 (GAA)≥250 and (GAA)200-249 expansions in a large cohort of patients with idiopathic downbeat nystagmus (DBN) and their response to 4-aminopyridine. METHODS Retrospective cohort study of 170 patients with idiopathic DBN, comprising in-depth phenotyping and assessment of 4-aminopyridine treatment response, including re-analysis of placebo-controlled video-oculography treatment response data from a previous randomised double-blind 4-aminopyridine trial. FINDINGS Frequency of FGF14 (GAA)≥250 expansions was 48% (82/170) in patients with idiopathic DBN. Additional cerebellar ocular motor signs were observed in 100% (82/82) and cerebellar ataxia in 43% (35/82) of patients carrying an FGF14 (GAA)≥250 expansion. FGF14 (GAA)200-249 alleles were enriched in patients with DBN (12%; 20/170) compared to controls (0.87%; 19/2191; OR, 15.20; 95% CI, 7.52-30.80; p < 0.0001). The phenotype of patients carrying a (GAA)200-249 allele closely mirrored that of patients carrying a (GAA)≥250 allele. Patients carrying a (GAA)≥250 or a (GAA)200-249 allele had a significantly greater clinician-reported (80%, 33/41 vs 31%, 5/16; RR, 2.58; 95% CI, 1.23-5.41; Fisher's exact test, p = 0.0011) and self-reported (59%, 32/54 vs 11%, 2/19; RR, 5.63; 95% CI, 1.49-21.27; Fisher's exact test, p = 0.00033) response to 4-aminopyridine treatment compared to patients carrying a (GAA)<200 allele. Placebo-controlled video-oculography data, available for four patients carrying an FGF14 (GAA)≥250 expansion, showed a significant decrease in slow phase velocity of DBN with 4-aminopyridine, but not placebo. INTERPRETATION This study confirms that FGF14 GAA expansions are a frequent cause of DBN syndromes. It provides preliminary evidence that (GAA)200-249 alleles might be pathogenic. Finally, it provides large real-world and preliminary piloting placebo-controlled evidence for the efficacy of 4-aminopyridine in GAA-FGF14 disease. FUNDING This work was supported by the Clinician Scientist program "PRECISE.net" funded by the Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung (to CW, AT, and MSy), the grant 779257 "Solve-RD" from the European's Union Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (to MSy), and the grant 01EO 1401 by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) (to MSt). This work was also supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) N° 441409627, as part of the PROSPAX consortium under the frame of EJP RD, the European Joint Programme on Rare Diseases, under the EJP RD COFUND-EJP N° 825575 (to MSy, BB and-as associated partner-SZ), the NIH National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (grant 2R01NS072248-11A1 to SZ), the Fondation Groupe Monaco (to BB), and the Montreal General Hospital Foundation (grant PT79418 to BB). The Care4Rare Canada Consortium is funded in part by Genome Canada and the Ontario Genomics Institute (OGI-147 to KMB), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR GP1-155867 to KMB), Ontario Research Foundation, Genome Quebec, and the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Foundation. The funders had no role in the conduct of this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Pellerin
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Hospital and Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Felix Heindl
- Department of Neurology and German Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
| | - Carlo Wilke
- Division Translational Genomics of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research and Center of Neurology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Matt C Danzi
- Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics and John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Andreas Traschütz
- Division Translational Genomics of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research and Center of Neurology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Catherine Ashton
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Hospital and Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Department of Neurology, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Marie-Josée Dicaire
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Hospital and Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Alexanne Cuillerier
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Giulia Del Gobbo
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Kym M Boycott
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jens Claassen
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany; MediClin Klinik Reichshof, Reichshof-Eckenhagen, Germany
| | - Dan Rujescu
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Comprehensive Center for Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health (C3NMH), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Annette M Hartmann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Comprehensive Center for Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health (C3NMH), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stephan Zuchner
- Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics and John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Bernard Brais
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Hospital and Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Centre de Réadaptation Lucie-Bruneau, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Michael Strupp
- Department of Neurology and German Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
| | - Matthis Synofzik
- Division Translational Genomics of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research and Center of Neurology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen, Germany.
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Macher S, Dunkler D, Fiehl AT, Rommer PS, Platho-Elwischger K, Schwarz FK, Wiest G. Gravity-Dependent Modulation of Downbeat Nystagmus and Subjective Visual Vertical in the Roll Plane. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2024:10.1007/s12311-024-01685-y. [PMID: 38499815 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-024-01685-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Downbeat nystagmus (DBN) is the most common form of acquired central vestibular nystagmus. Gravity perception in patients with DBN has previously been investigated by means of subjective visual straight ahead (SVA) and subjective visual vertical (SVV) in the pitch and roll planes only during whole-body tilts. To our knowledge, the effect of head tilt in the roll plane on the SVV and on DBN has not yet been systematically studied in patients. In this study, we investigated static and dynamic graviceptive function in the roll-plane in patients with DBN (patients) and healthy-controls (controls) by assessment of the Subjective Visual Vertical (SVV) and the modulation of slow-phase-velocity (SPV) of DBN. SPV of DBN and SVV were tested at different head-on trunk-tilt positions in the roll-plane (0°,30° clockwise (cw) and 30° counterclockwise (ccw)) in 26 patients suffering from DBN and 13 controls. In patients, SPV of DBN did not show significant modulations at different head-tilt angles in the roll-plane. SVV ratings did not differ significantly between DBN patients vs. controls, however patients with DBN exhibited a higher variability in mean SVV estimates than controls. Our results show that the DBN does not exhibit any modulation in the roll-plane, in contrast to the pitch-plane. Furthermore, patients with DBN show a higher uncertainty in the perception of verticality in the roll-plane in form of a higher variability of responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Macher
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Daniela Dunkler
- Center for Medical Data Science, Institute of Clinical Biometrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | | | | | | | | | - Gerald Wiest
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Jiménez-Huete A, Patiño-García A, Guillén EF, Porta JM, Martin-Bastida A, Suárez-Vega V, Pérez N. Brain 18F-FDG PET findings and sequential vestibular testing in SCA27B: a case report. J Neurol 2024; 271:1015-1018. [PMID: 37831126 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-12032-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Adolfo Jiménez-Huete
- Department of Neurology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, C/ Marquesado de Sta. Marta, 1, 28027, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Ana Patiño-García
- Department of Pediatrics and Medical Genetics Unit, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Antonio Martin-Bastida
- Department of Neurology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, C/ Marquesado de Sta. Marta, 1, 28027, Madrid, Spain
| | - Víctor Suárez-Vega
- Department of Radiology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nicolás Pérez
- Department of Otolaryngology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Madrid, Spain
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Zhang S, Lang Y, Wang W, Wu Y, Yan S, Zhang T, Li D, Liu S, Hao Y, Yang X, Gu P. Analysis of etiology and clinical features of spontaneous downbeat nystagmus: a retrospective study. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1326879. [PMID: 38361644 PMCID: PMC10867136 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1326879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective To investigate the topical diagnosis, possible etiology and mechanism of spontaneous downbeat nystagmus (sDBN) patients with dizziness/vertigo. Methods The clinical features of dizziness/vertigo patients accompanied with DBN were retrospectively reviewed in the Vertigo Center of our hospital from January 2018 to March 2021. The clinical features of dizziness/vertigo patients accompanied with DBN were reviewed. Comprehensive VNG, bithermal caloric testing, video-head-impulse test (vHIT), vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP), head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), three-dimensional fluid-attenuated incersion recovery magnetic resonance imaging (3D-FLAIR MRI) in the inner ear, serum immunology and other examinations were to determine the lesion site, and analyze its possible etiology and mechanism. Results A total of 54 patients were included. Among them, 70.4% (n = 38) of DBN patients were diagnosed with episodic vestibular syndrome (EVS), 22.2% (n = 12) with chronic vestibular syndrome (CVS), and 7.4% (n = 4) with acute vestibular syndrome (AVS). Among all the patients, 51.9% of DBN patients had clear etiology, with central lesions of 29.6% and peripheral diseases of 22.2%. The most common diseases in DBN patients were cerebellar lesions (13.0%, n = 7) and vestibular migraine (13.0%, n = 7), followed by benign positional paroxysmal vertigo (7.4%, n = 4) and drug-related dizziness/vertigo (5.6%, n = 3). The other 48.1% of the patients had unknown etiology. 53.8% (14/26) of patients with idiopathic DBN had decreased semicircular canal function, with 42.9% (6/14) decreased posterior semicircular canal function. The posterior semicircular canal gain in DBN patients decreased compared to the anterior semicircular canal in the same conjugate plane. Patients with peripheral DBN were more prone to horizontal/torsional nystagmus during positional testing. Conclusion In our study, DBN patients have a relative decrease in posterior semicircular canal gain, which is possibly a particular result found in a subset of downbeat nystagmus patients. The changes in nystagmus during positional testing may be helpful in distinguishing between peripheral and central causes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sai Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Yilin Lang
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Wenting Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Yuexia Wu
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Shuangmei Yan
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Dong Li
- Vertigo Center of the First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Shaona Liu
- Vertigo Center of the First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Yongci Hao
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Xu Yang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Aerospace School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Ping Gu
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
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Fearon C, Sundaram AE, Munhoz RP, Fasano A, Tyndel F. Downbeat Nystagmus in Metronidazole Neurotoxicity. Can J Neurol Sci 2023; 50:941-943. [PMID: 36451594 DOI: 10.1017/cjn.2022.330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Conor Fearon
- Edmond J. Safra Program in Parkinson's Disease, Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorders Clinic, UHN-Toronto Western Hospital, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, University College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Arun E Sundaram
- Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Renato P Munhoz
- Edmond J. Safra Program in Parkinson's Disease, Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorders Clinic, UHN-Toronto Western Hospital, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Neuromodulation Unit and Ataxia Clinic, Edmond J. Safra Program in Parkinson's Disease and the Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorders Clinic, UHN-Toronto Western Hospital, Canada
- Krembil Brain Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alfonso Fasano
- Edmond J. Safra Program in Parkinson's Disease, Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorders Clinic, UHN-Toronto Western Hospital, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Krembil Brain Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Felix Tyndel
- Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Heusel-Gillig LL, Hall CD. Effectiveness of Vestibular Rehabilitation for Patients with Degenerative Cerebellar Ataxia: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1520. [PMID: 38002480 PMCID: PMC10669586 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13111520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Many patients with cerebellar ataxia have dizziness caused by oculomotor or peripheral vestibular deficits; however, there is little evidence supporting the use of vestibular rehabilitation for this population. The purpose of this study was to determine whether patients with degenerative cerebellar diseases improve following rehabilitation including vestibular exercises. A secondary aim was to identify variables associated with the outcomes. A retrospective chart review identified 42 ambulatory patients (23 men and 19 women; mean age = 54.5 ± 14.4 years) with cerebellar degeneration. Fourteen patients had ataxia only, twenty had ataxia and oculomotor abnormalities, and eight had ataxia with oculomotor and peripheral vestibular deficits. Patients received customized physical therapy including balance and gait training, as well as gaze stabilization and habituation exercises for vestibular hypofunction and motion-provoked dizziness. Primary outcome measures (Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale, Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment, Dynamic Gait index, and Sensory Organization Test) were evaluated at baseline and discharge. Patients improved (p < 0.05) on all outcome measures. Patients with vestibular deficits were seen for more visits compared to those with gait ataxia only (7.1 vs. 4.8 visits). This study provides evidence that patients with degenerative cerebellar disease improve in balance confidence, fall risk and sensory integration with therapy that includes vestibular rehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Courtney D. Hall
- James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mountain Home, TN 37684, USA
- Physical Therapy Program, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
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10
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Pellerin D, Heindl F, Wilke C, Danzi MC, Traschütz A, Ashton C, Dicaire MJ, Cuillerier A, Del Gobbo G, Boycott KM, Claassen J, Rujescu D, Hartmann AM, Zuchner S, Brais B, Strupp M, Synofzik M. Intronic FGF14 GAA repeat expansions are a common cause of downbeat nystagmus syndromes: frequency, phenotypic profile, and 4-aminopyridine treatment response. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.07.30.23293380. [PMID: 37577458 PMCID: PMC10418564 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.30.23293380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
The cause of downbeat nystagmus (DBN) remains unknown in approximately 30% of patients (idiopathic DBN). Here, we hypothesized that: (i) FGF14 (GAA) ≥250 repeat expansions represent a frequent genetic cause of idiopathic DBN syndromes, (ii) are treatable with 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), and (iii) FGF14 (GAA) 200-249 alleles are potentially pathogenic. We conducted a multi-modal cohort study of 170 patients with idiopathic DBN that comprised: in-depth ocular motor, neurological, and disease evolution phenotyping; assessment of 4-AP treatment response, including re-analysis of placebo-controlled video-oculography treatment response data from a previous randomized double-blind 4-AP trial; and genotyping of the FGF14 repeat. Frequency of FGF14 (GAA) ≥250 expansions was 48% (82/170) in the entire idiopathic DBN cohort. Additional cerebellar ocular motor signs were observed in 100% (82/82), cerebellar ataxia in 43% (35/82), and extracerebellar features in 21% (17/82) of (GAA) ≥250 - FGF14 patients. Alleles of 200 to 249 GAA repeats were enriched in patients with DBN (12%; 20/170) compared to controls (0.87%; 19/2,191; OR, 15.20; 95% CI, 7.52-30.80; p =9.876e-14). The phenotype of (GAA) 200-249 - FGF14 patients closely mirrored that of (GAA) ≥250 - FGF14 patients. (GAA) ≥250 - FGF14 and (GAA) 200-249 - FGF14 patients had a significantly greater clinician-reported (80% vs 31%; p =0.0011) and self-reported (59% vs 11%; p =0.0003) response rate to 4-AP treatment compared to (GAA) <200 - FGF14 patients. This included a treatment response with high relevance to everyday living, as exemplified by an improvement of 2 FARS stages in some cases. Placebo-controlled video-oculography data of four (GAA) ≥250 - FGF14 patients previously enrolled in a 4-AP randomized double-blind trial showed a significant decrease in slow phase velocity of DBN with 4-AP, but not placebo. This study shows that FGF14 GAA repeat expansions are a highly frequent genetic cause of DBN syndromes, especially when associated with additional cerebellar features. Moreover, they genetically stratify a subgroup of patients with DBN that appear to be highly responsive to 4-AP, thus paving the way for a "theranostics" approach in DBN syndromes.
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Yang R, Wu H, Gao Z. Vestibular seizures and spontaneous downbeat nystagmus of ganglioglioma origin: a case report. BMC Neurol 2023; 23:278. [PMID: 37488495 PMCID: PMC10364402 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-023-03311-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Low-grade gangliogliomas (GGs) are typically epileptogenic intracranial neoplasms. Yet, the presentation of simplex vertiginous experience and spontaneous downbeat nystagmus (DBN) has not been reported to date. CASE PRESENTATION We present the case of a 26-year-old male with focal onset impaired awareness seizures, characterized by vertigo due to right temporal lobe epilepsy caused by ganglioglioma. As rare presentations, a spontaneous, consistent DBN in the absence of vertiginous experience was noticed. MRI suggested lesion in the right temporal pole. Twenty-four-hour continuous electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring recorded periodic sharp and slow waves, originating from the right temporal lobe. The patient was completely relieved of the symptoms after surgical removal of the tumor, which was histologically confirmed as Grade I Ganglioglioma. CONCLUSIONS Asides from the cortical pathogenesis of epileptic vertigo, this case also provides insight into the DBN secondary to tumor of the temporal lobe. Moreover, the 24-h EEG is advantageous to recognize vestibular seizures and localize the ictal onset areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruizhe Yang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, PR China
| | - Haiyan Wu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, PR China.
| | - Zhiqiang Gao
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, PR China
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Skolka M, Pinto MV, Powell TE, Eggers S, Dahl H, Toledano M. Transient downbeat nystagmus. Pract Neurol 2023; 23:93-94. [PMID: 35953286 DOI: 10.1136/pn-2022-003515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Scott Eggers
- Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Heidi Dahl
- Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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Case Report: Downbeat Nystagmus Due to Epidural Puncture during Labor with Undiagnosed Arnold Chiari Malformation. Optom Vis Sci 2022; 99:721-724. [PMID: 35678639 DOI: 10.1097/opx.0000000000001916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE Epidural anesthesia is a safe procedure used in pregnant patients during labor. However, caution should be exercised in those patients that have concurrent Arnold Chiari malformation. PURPOSE To report a rare and atypical presentation of downbeat nystagmus, in a pregnant patient with Arnold Chiari malformation type 1 (ACM1), secondary to accidental dural puncture. CASE REPORT A 31-year-old African American female presented with a chief complaint of decreased vision and oscillopsia that occurred after giving birth, six months earlier. Her medical history prior to presentation was unremarkable. Her delivery was typical; however, the patient did receive epidural anesthesia which resulted in a dural puncture. The patient noted her symptoms a few days after delivery. Upon examination, persistent down beat nystagmus was noted in both eyes. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 2.5 cm inferior displacement of the cerebellar tonsils below the foramen magnum consistent with ACM1. The patient was referred to neurosurgery for posterior fossa decompression. However, surgery was deferred until appropriate weight reduction could be achieved. Follow-up examination six months later revealed no change in her clinical findings. CONCLUSIONS This case report highlights an atypical presentation of downbeat nystagmus secondary to an accidental dural puncture in a pregnant patient with undiagnosed ACM1. Clinicians should consider the importance of considering ocular complications that can occur in pregnant patients with ACM1. Questioning of women who have recently given birth about epidural anesthesia should be considered with an acute presentation of downbeat-nystagmus.
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