4-aminopyridine restores visual ocular motor function in upbeat nystagmus. Issue 3 (16th February 2005)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Glasauer, S; Kalla, R; Büttner, U; Strupp, M; Brandt, T
• Is Part Of: Journal of neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry. Volume 76:Issue 3(2005)
• Page Start: 451
• Page End: 453
• Publication Date: 2005-02-16
• Subjects: 4-AP, 4-aminopyridine -- DBN, downbeat nystagmus -- UBN, upbeat nystagmus; upbeat nystagmus -- 4-aminopyridine -- potassium channel blocker -- smooth pursuit -- case report; Neurology -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1136/jnnp.2004.045716
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3050

Abstract

Abstract : The effect of the potassium channel blocker 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) on spontaneous upbeat nystagmus (UBN) was investigated with the search coil technique during fixation in different gaze positions and smooth pursuit in a patient before and after ingestion of 10 mg 4-AP. UBN was reduced from 8.6 deg/s to 2.0 deg/s by 4-AP causing subjective relief from distressing oscillopsia, and impaired upward smooth pursuit was restored (gains: before medication 0.38; after medication 0.86). In the dark, UBN was slightly stronger and not affected by 4-AP. We propose that 4-AP improved the function of cerebellar pathways that mediate gaze holding and smooth pursuit by intensifying the excitability of cerebellar Purkinje cells.