Step I Lesion in MLF and Nystagmus

[MudPhud20XX]

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Let's say you have a lesion in MLF and your abducen nerve works, so let's say your right eye will look laterally but your left won't b/c it's not getting any signal since MLF is not working.

Then why do you get nystagmus in your right eye? Is it b/c the right eye feels like the left eye is not looking at the same direction?

My understanding of nystagmus is it's really a rapid eye movement to maintain balance right?

Any help I would appreciate it.

 

[J ROD]

You get the nystagmus in the right eye because it is overstimulated trying to get the other eye to "follow".

Once it can not go anymore, it starts to move back and forth.........

 

[aspiringmd1015]

well first, if your right eye is looking laterally, your left eye wont look laterally it will look medially via mlf signaling to the occulomotor nucleus in the midbrain, and you will get a nystagmus bc your brain is perceiving that your right eye is looking laterally when it shouldnt bc the left eye isnt being stimulated, so naturally the only direction the nystagmus can be is in the opposite direction, to where the right eye would nystagmus medially.

 

[aspiringmd1015]

or the nystagmus fast direction would be medially aka toward the side of the lesion (left mlf)