Prosaccade and Antisaccade Behavior in Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome Progression.

Abstract

Background:

Quantitative measurement of eye movements can reveal subtle progression in neurodegenerative diseases.

Objective:

To determine if quantitative measurements of eye movements may reveal subtle progression of fragile X-associated tremor and ataxia (FXTAS).

Methods:

Prosaccade (PS) and antisaccade (AS) behavior was analyzed in 25 controls, 57 non-FXTAS carriers, and 46 carriers with FXTAS.

Results:

Symptomatic individuals with FXTAS had longer AS latencies, increased rates of AS errors, and increased AS dysmetria relative to non-FXTAS carriers and controls. These deficits, along with PS latency and velocity, were greater in advanced FXTAS stages.

Conclusion:

AS deficits differentiated FXTAS from non-FXTAS premutation carriers implicating top-down control and frontostriatal deterioration. However, the absence of group differences between non-FXTAS carriers and controls in AS and PS markers suggests saccade performance may not be a sensitive enough measure for detecting conversion to FXTAS, but instead more helpful as translational biomarkers of FXTAS progression.

• Authors: Yingratana A McLennan, Matthew W Mosconi, Forrest J McKenzie, Jessica Famula, Bennet Krawchuk, Kyoungmi Kim, Courtney J Clark, David Hessl, Susan M Rivera, Tony J Simon, Flora Tassone, Randi J Hagerman
• Journal: Movement disorders clinical practice (Mov Disord Clin Pract) Vol. 9 Issue 4 Pg. 473-478 (May 2022) ISSN: 2330-1619 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 35586536 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2022 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.