ANALYSIS OF EXPLORATORY EYE-MOVEMENT IN A PATIENT WITH LUPUS PSYCHOSIS

The psychiatric and cognitive condition of a patient with lupus psycho sis was evaluated. Using a device that detects the corneal reflection of infrared light, the patterns of eye tracking movements were recorde d before the onset of lupus psychosis, after remission, and again 1 ye ar later. Electroencephalographic findings and cerebrospinal fluid lev els of both interferon a and interleukin-6 were also obtained longitud inally. Electroencephalographic findings and clinical signs were corre lated to the levels of interferon cc in cerebrospinal fluid. Analysis of exploratory eye movements revealed marked decreases in the number o f eye fixations, mean eye-scanning length and total eye-scanning lengt h. Even though the lupus psychosis resolved and the electroencephalogr aphic findings became normal, the eye movement patterns showed remaini ng deterioration. It was concluded that analysis of exploratory eye mo vements in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus may be useful in diagnosing lupus psychosis, and may also present a diagnostic clue to subclinical lupus psychosis.