Diagnostic conclusions from computerized smooth pursuit tracking data.

Abstract

Measures of phase (lead or lag of target), gain (amplitude of response), and spectral purity (distortion of smooth tracking) were obtained by a cross-power spectral analysis of the stimulus input and the eye movement output. Normal patients showed no central involvement of the pursuit pathways in the central nervous system. Patients with central lesions had marked deficits. At this time it is premature to try to localize the site of lesion on the basis of these raw data. A small sample of known diagnoses have been chosen to evaluate this tracking system. Hopefully, this method will contribute to a better understanding of the neural pathways of vestibulo-oculomotor function and provide diagnostic information.