As prior studies indicated abnormal cerebellar-vestibular-based sensorimotor mechanisms and neurological and ENG diagnostic parameters in anxiety disorders and because ocular fixation and sequential scanning are cerebellar-vestibular-modulated, it appeared reasonable to measure these and related ocular functions in matched samples of anxiety-disordered and control subjects. In this study, the optokinetically-determined fixation, sequential scanning, and perceptual span capacities obtained by means of a newly revised blurring-speed method were significantly lower or impaired in 70 anxiety-disordered patients vs 70 controls. Such data supported further the hypothesis that there may be cerebellar-vestibular predispositions to anxiety disorders and the optokinetically-based tracking method may prove useful in separating a diverse array of CV-determined or related anxiety symptoms from those of other origins. However, independent validation as well as additional studies of anxiety disorders using larger samples vs random or “normal” controls are required before conclusions are justified.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AdrianE. D.Afferent areas in the cerebellum connected with the limbs. Brain, 1943, 66, 289–315.
2.
American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. (3rd rev.) Washington, DC: The American Psychiatric Association, 1987.
3.
AyersA. J.Sensory integration and learning disorders. Los Angeles, CA: Western Psychological Services, 1972.
4.
BalohR. W.KonradH. R.HonrubiaV.Vestibulo-ocular function in patients with cerebellar atrophy. Neurology, 1975, 25, 160–168.
5.
BasteckyJ.BolelouckyZ.SkovronskyO.Psychotropic drugs in acoustic and vestibular disorders. Activitas Nervosa Superior (Prague), 1981, 23, 187–188.
6.
BenediktM.Über Platzschwindel. Allgemeine Wiener Medizinische Zeitung, 1870, 15, 488.
7.
BlackJ. L.CollinsD. W. K.DeRouachT. N.ZubrickS. R.Smooth pursuit eye movements in normal and dyslexic children. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1984, 59, 91–100.
8.
BlytheP.McGlownD.An organic basis for neurosis and educational difficulties. Chester, Eng.: Insight, 1979. Pp. 93–94.
BrooklerK.PulecJ.Computer analysis of electronystagmography records. Transamerican Academy of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology, 1970, 74, 563–575.
11.
BurdeR. M.StroudM. H.Roper-HallG.WirthF. P.O'LearyL.Ocular motor dysfunction in total and hemicerebellectomized monkeys. British Journal of Ophthalmology, 1975, 59, 560–565.
12.
deQuirosJ. B.Diagnosis of vestibular disorders in the learning disabled. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 1976, 9, 39–58.
13.
DichgansJ.The influence of peripheral vision on ambient ego orientation. Neurosciences Research Program Bulletin, 1977, 15, 376–385.
14.
DowR. S.AndersonR.Cerebellar action potentials in response to stimulation of proprioceptors and exteroceptors in the rat. Journal of Neurophysiology, 1942, 5, 363–371.
15.
DowR. S.MoruzziG.The physiology and pathology of the cerebellum. Minneapolis, MN: Univer. of Minnesota Press, 1958.
16.
FenichelO.The psychoanalytic theory of neurosis. New York: Norton, 1945.
17.
FlaxN.MozlinR.SolanH.Learning disability, dyslexia and vision. American Academy of Optometry, 1984, 55, 399–403.
18.
FrankJ.LevinsonH. N.Dysmetric dyslexia and dyspraxia: hypothesis and study. Journal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry, 1973, 12, 690–701.
19.
FrankJ.LevinsonH. N.Dysmetric dyslexia and dyspraxia: synopsis of a continuing research project. Academic Therapy, 1975–1976, 11, 133–143.
20.
FrankJ.LevinsonH. N.Compensatory mechanism in cerebellar-vestibular dysfunctions and dysmetric dyslexia and dyspraxia. Academic Therapy, 1976, 12, 1–24.
21.
FrankJ.LevinsonH. N.Seasickness mechanisms and medications in dysmetric dyslexia and dyspraxia. Academic Therapy, 1976–1977, 12, 133–149.
22.
FrankJ.LevinsonH. N.Antimotion sickness medications in dysmetric dyslexia and dyspraxia. Academic Therapy, 1977, 12, 411–425.
23.
GuedryF. E.LentzJ. M.JellR. M.Visual-vestibular interactions: influence of peripheral vision on suppression of the vestibulo-ocular reflex and visual acuity. Aviation Space and Environmental Medicine, 1979, 38, 613–619.
24.
GuyeA.On agoraphobia in relation to ear disease. Laryngoscope, 1899, 6, 219–221.
25.
HalliwellJ. W.SolanH. A.The effects of a supplemental perceptual training program on reading achievement. Exceptional Children, 1972, 38, 613–619.
26.
ItoM.The cerebellum and neural control. New York: Raven Press, 1984.
27.
JacobR. G.MollerM. B.TurnerS. M.WallC.Otoneurological examination in panic disorder and agoraphobia with panic attacks: a pilot study. American Journal of Psychiatry, 1985, 142, 715–719.
28.
Kohen-RazR.Developmental patterns of static balance ability and their relation to cognitive school readiness. Pediatrics, 1970, 46, 276–285.
29.
LannoisM.TournierC.Les lésions auriculaires sont une cause déterminante fréquente de l'agoraphobie. Annales des Maladies de L'oreille due Larynx, du Nez, et du Pharynx, 1899, 14, 286–301.
30.
LevinsonH. N.A solution to the riddle dyslexia. New York: Springer-Verlag, 1980.
31.
LevinsonH. N.Smart but feeling dumb. New York: Warner, 1984.
32.
LevinsonH. N.Phobia free. New York: Evans, 1986.
33.
LevinsonH. N.The cerebellar-vestibular basis of learning disabilities in children, adolescents and adults: hypothesis and study. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1988, 67, 983–1006.
34.
LevinsonH. N.Abnormal optokinetic and perceptual span parameters in cerebellar-vestibular dysfunction and learning disabilities or dyslexia. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1989, 68, 35–54. (a)
35.
LevinsonH. N.A cerebellar-vestibular explanation for fears/phobias: hypothesis and study. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1989, 68, 67–84. (b)
36.
LevinsonH. N.The cerebellar-vestibular predisposition to anxiety disorders. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1989, 68, 323–338. (c)
37.
LorenzK.Companionship in bird life. In SchillerC. H. (Ed.), Instinctive behavior. New York: International Universities, 1957. Pp. 83–116. (a)
38.
LorenzK.Comparative study of behavior. In SchillerC. H. (Ed.), Instinctive behavior. New York: International Universities, 1957. Pp. 239–249. (b)
39.
LovegroveW. J.HeddleM.SlaghusW.Reading disability: spatial frequency deficits in visual information store. Neuropsychologia, 1980, 18, 111–115.
40.
MarksI.BebbingtonP.Space phobia: syndrome or agoraphobic variant?British Medical Journal, 1976, 2, 345–347.
41.
McClureJ. A.LycettPBaskervilleJ. C.Diazepam as an antimotion-sickness drug. Journal of Otolaryngology, 1982, 11, 253–259.
42.
PageN. G. R.GrestyM. A.Motorist's vestibular disorientation syndrome. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, 1985, 48, 729–735.
43.
PavlidisG. Th.DO eye movements hold the key to dyslexia?Neuropsychologia, 1981, 19, 57–64.
44.
PavlidisG. Th.Erratic eye movements and dyslexia: factors determining their relationship. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1985, 60, 319–322.
45.
PierceJ. R.Optometric development vision therapy and academic achievement. Review of Optometry, 1977, 114, 48–63.
46.
RobinsonD. A.Adaptive gain control of vestibulo-ocular reflex by the cerebellum. Journal of Neurophysiology, 1976, 39, 954–969.
47.
SniderR. S.StowellA.Receiving areas of the tactile, auditory, and visual systems in the cerebellum. Journal of Neurophysiology, 1944, 7, 331–357.
48.
StroudM. H.RauchbachE.Caloric and optokinetic nystagmus in cerebellar patients. Annals of Otology, Rhinology and Laryngology, 1976, 85, 136–138.
49.
WilsonV. J.MaedaM.FranckJ. I.Inhibitory interaction between labyrinthine, visual and neck inputs to the cat flocculus. Brain Research, 1975, 96, 357–360.
