Brain pathology and strabismus.

Abstract

If we consider the complex and articulate organization of the oculomotor neural system, ie, infranuclear, nuclear, internuclear, and supranuclear levels, how many neuronal structures are implicated and their widespread localization in the central nervous system, and if we understand the various relationships within the oculomotor system and with other cerebral structures, we may easily realize that cerebral diseases and oculomotor disturbances are tightly and reciprocally connected. Many diseases may be associated with ocular movement impairment, sometimes acting on different sites of oculomotor organization. These alterations may have a clear pathophysiologic meaning and a relevant topographic localizing value, otherwise correlations and mechanisms are simply hypothetical. Last but not least for conceptual relevance are the modifications of neuronal anatomy and physiopathologic mechanisms induced by the strabismus. In the past year many articles have been published that analyze the relationships and the pathogenetic role of cerebral anomalies in the context of strabismus syndromes. Of outstanding interest is the proof of cortical and subcortical neural stations' plasticity, and the evidence of a cerebral anatomophysiologic basis of strabismus and amblyopia. In this context the midbrain, pontine, and brain stem nuclei and neuronal organizations have a peculiar importance. We will try to systematically expose, even if briefly, the main contributions in this area.