Neural mechanisms of oculomotor abnormalities in the infantile strabismus syndrome

J Neurophysiol. 2017 Jul 1;118(1):280-299. doi: 10.1152/jn.00934.2016. Epub 2017 Apr 12.

Abstract

Infantile strabismus is characterized by numerous visual and oculomotor abnormalities. Recently nonhuman primate models of infantile strabismus have been established, with characteristics that closely match those observed in human patients. This has made it possible to study the neural basis for visual and oculomotor symptoms in infantile strabismus. In this review, we consider the available evidence for neural abnormalities in structures related to oculomotor pathways ranging from visual cortex to oculomotor nuclei. These studies provide compelling evidence that a disturbance of binocular vision during a sensitive period early in life, whatever the cause, results in a cascade of abnormalities through numerous brain areas involved in visual functions and eye movements.

Keywords: neurophysiology; pursuit; saccade; strabismus; vision.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Eye Movements
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Oculomotor Nerve / abnormalities
  • Oculomotor Nerve / growth & development
  • Oculomotor Nerve / physiopathology*
  • Oculomotor Nuclear Complex / abnormalities
  • Oculomotor Nuclear Complex / growth & development
  • Oculomotor Nuclear Complex / physiopathology
  • Strabismus / etiology
  • Strabismus / physiopathology*
  • Visual Cortex / abnormalities
  • Visual Cortex / growth & development
  • Visual Cortex / physiopathology
  • Visual Pathways / abnormalities
  • Visual Pathways / growth & development
  • Visual Pathways / physiopathology*