Pharmacotherapy of vestibular and ocular motor disorders, including nystagmus

Michael Strupp, Matthew J. Thurtell, Aasef G. Shaikh, Thomas Brandt, David S. Zee, R. John Leigh

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

95 Scopus citations

Abstract

We review current pharmacological treatments for peripheral and central vestibular disorders, and ocular motor disorders that impair vision, especially pathological nystagmus. The prerequisites for successful pharmacotherapy of vertigo, dizziness, and abnormal eye movements are the "4 D's": correct diagnosis, correct drug, appropriate dosage, and sufficient duration. There are seven groups of drugs (the "7 A's") that can be used: antiemetics; anti-inflammatory, anti-Ménière's, and anti-migrainous medications; anti-depressants, anti-convulsants, and aminopyridines. A recovery from acute vestibular neuritis can be promoted by treatment with oral corticosteroids. Betahistine may reduce the frequency of attacks of Ménière's disease. The aminopyridines constitute a novel treatment approach for downbeat and upbeat nystagmus, as well as episodic ataxia type 2 (EA 2); these drugs may restore normal "pacemaker" activity to the Purkinje cells that govern vestibular and cerebellar nuclei. A limited number of trials indicate that baclofen improves periodic alternating nystagmus, and that gabapentin and memantine improve acquired pendular and infantile (congenital) nystagmus. Preliminary reports suggest suppression of square-wave saccadic intrusions by memantine, and ocular flutter by beta-blockers. Thus, although progress has been made in the treatment of vestibular neuritis, some forms of pathological nystagmus, and EA 2, controlled, masked trials are still needed to evaluate treatments for many vestibular and ocular motor disorders, including betahistine for Ménière's disease, oxcarbazepine for vestibular paroxysmia, or metoprolol for vestibular migraine.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1207-1222
Number of pages16
JournalJournal of neurology
Volume258
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2011

Keywords

  • Dizziness
  • Downbeat nystagmus
  • Episodic ataxia type 2
  • Infantile nystagmus
  • Ménière's disease
  • Ocular flutter
  • Opsoclonus
  • Pendular nystagmus
  • Periodic alternating nystagmus
  • Square-wave saccadic intrusion
  • Upbeat nystagmus
  • Vertigo
  • Vestibular migraine
  • Vestibular neuritis
  • Vestibular paroxysmia

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neurology
  • Clinical Neurology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Pharmacotherapy of vestibular and ocular motor disorders, including nystagmus'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this