Blink reflex in progressive myoclonic epilepsies

Abstract

Purpose: Progressive myoclonic epilepsies (PME) include a heterogeneous group of disorders. The brainstem is involved in these disorders, as demonstrated by neuroimaging and autopsy studies. The blink reflex (BR) is characteristically elicited after supraorbital electrical stimulation. The BR has two components, an ipsilateral R1 and bilateral R2 (R2 and R2c). The central generator of the BR is the brainstem. In this study, we aimed to investigate the functional status of the brainstem using the BR in PME cases with different etiological factors.