Last updated:
May 25, 2008
Years published: 1996, 1997, 2005
Cogan type ocular motor apraxia is a rare congenital disorder characterized by a defect in side-to-side (horizontal) eye movements. The eyes do not move properly in response to stimuli or voluntarily. When affected infants are asked to fixate on an object to the side, their eyes will lag and then move in the opposite direction. In order to compensate for this, the infants will sharply jerk their heads past the desired object in an effort to bring the eyes to a position where they can view the object. When the eyes fixate on the object, the head will return to its normal position. These jerking head movements are the most noticeable sign of Cogan type ocular motor apraxia and are usually recognized three to four months after birth. Before these head jerkings occur, an infant’s inability to fixate on an object may sometimes be mistaken for blindness.
Infants with Cogan type ocular motor apraxia will also be unable to follow rapid movements across their fields of vision, such as focusing on a moving train (opticokinetic nystagmus). The disorder can also be associated with mild developmental delay and speech difficulties.
In other rare cases of Cogan type ocular motor apraxia, individuals exhibit an inability to fixate on objects to one particular side of the body (unilateral ocular motor apraxia). In some of these cases, individuals may demonstrate improper eye movements and/or an inability to track an object with the other eye.
Cogan type ocular motor apraxia is not progressive and many affected individuals eventually learn to compensate for the disorder by overshooting the eyes instead of jerking the head. The number and severity of symptoms varies widely among affected individuals.
Some individuals with Cogan type ocular motor apraxia have a brain abnormality such as underdevelopment (hypoplasia) of the corpus callosum, hypoplasia of the cerebellum, or an abnormality in the grey matter. (For more information on agenesis of corpus callosum, see the Related Disorders section of this report.)
Cogan type ocular motor apraxia is a genetic condition for which the inheritance pattern has not been well established. It is not clear if it is inherited as an autosomal recessive genetic trait or an autosomal dominant genetic trait.
Genetic diseases are determined by the combination of genes for a particular trait that are on the chromosomes received from the father and the mother.
Recessive genetic disorders occur when an individual inherits the same abnormal gene for the same trait from each parent. If an individual receives one normal gene and one gene for the disease, the person will be a carrier for the disease, but usually will not show symptoms. The risk for two carrier parents to both pass the defective gene and, therefore, have an affected child is 25% with each pregnancy. The risk to have a child who is a carrier like the parents is 50% with each pregnancy. The chance for a child to receive normal genes from both parents and be genetically normal for that particular trait is 25%. The risk is the same for males and females.
Dominant genetic disorders occur when only a single copy of an abnormal gene is necessary for the appearance of the disease. The abnormal gene can be inherited from either parent, or can be the result of a new mutation (gene change) in the affected individual. The risk of passing the abnormal gene from affected parent to offspring is 50% for each pregnancy regardless of the sex of the resulting child.
Cogan type ocular motor apraxia affects males approximately twice as often as females. Symptoms are present at birth (congenital). The jerking-head movements associated with this disorder usually appear by the third or fourth month of life. Approximately 50 cases have been reported in the medical literature.
Diagnosis of Cogan type ocular motor apraxia may be made upon observing the jerking-head movements that an infant will make in order to view an object to the side. Infants who exhibit jerking-head movements and the inability to fixate on an object should have a thorough eye examination by a qualified physician. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), CT Scan, or Positron Emission Tomography (PET) may be used to determine whether any associated brain abnormalities (i.e., underdevelopment of the corpus callosum or improper development of the cerebellar vermis) are present.
Treatment
A supportive team approach for children with ocular motor apraxia may be of benefit and may include special education services, physical therapy, speech therapy, and other medical, social, or vocational services.
Cogan type ocular motor apraxia has been associated with progressive kidney failure (nephronophthisis) in some individuals. It has been suggested that affected individuals have routine screening to determine if their kidneys are functioning normally.
Genetic counseling may be of benefit for patients and their families. Other treatment is symptomatic and supportive.
Information on current clinical trials is posted on the Internet at www.clinicaltrials.gov. All studies receiving U.S. government funding, and some supported by private industry, are posted on this government web site.
For information about clinical trials being conducted at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, MD, contact the NIH Patient Recruitment Office:
Tollfree: (800) 411-1222
TTY: (866) 411-1010
Email: [email protected]
For information about clinical trials sponsored by private sources, contact:
www.centerwatch.com
JOURNAL ARTICLES
Betz R, Rensing C, Otto, et al. Children with ocular motor apraxia Cogan carry deletions in the gene (NPHP1) for juvenile nephronophthisis. J Pediat. 2000;136:828-831.
Catalano RA, et al. Asymmetry in congenital ocular motor apraxia. Can J Ophthalmol 1988; 23(7): 318-21.
Rappaport L, et al. Concurrence of congenital ocular motor apraxia and other motor problems: an expanded syndrome. Dev Med Child Neurol. 1987; 29(1)): 85-90.
Borchert MS, et al. Congenital ocular motor apraxia in twins. Findings with magnetic resonance imaging. J Clin Neuroophthalmol 1987; 7(2):104-7.
Rosenberg ML, et al. Congenital ocular motor apraxia without head thrusts. J Clin Neuroophthamol 1987; 7(1): 26-28.
Orrison WW, et al. Congenital ocular motor apraxia. A possible disconnection syndrome. Arch Neurol 1979; 36(1): 29-31.
Kim WJ, et al. Unilateral congenital ocular motor apraxia: a case report. Korean J Ophthalmol 1992; 6 (1): 50-53.
Eda I, et al. computed tomography in congenital ocular motor apraxia. Neuroradiology 1984; 26(5): 359-62.
Fielder AR, et al. congenital ocular motor apraxia. Trans Ophthalmol Soc UK 1986; 105(Pt#5):589-98.
Vercelletto-Friol M, et al. congenital oculomotor apraxia with corpus callosum agenesis and subtentorial atrophy. Rev Neurol 1986; 142(2):140-44.
Zaret CR, et al. congenital ocular motor apraxia and brainstem tumor. Arch Ophthalmol Feb 1980; 98(2):328-30.
FROM THE INTERNET
McKusick VA, ed. Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM). Baltimore, MD. The Johns Hopkins University; Entry No. 257550; Last Update: 3/19/04.
NORD strives to open new assistance programs as funding allows. If we don’t have a program for you now, please continue to check back with us.
NORD and MedicAlert Foundation have teamed up on a new program to provide protection to rare disease patients in emergency situations.
Learn more https://rarediseases.org/patient-assistance-programs/medicalert-assistance-program/Ensuring that patients and caregivers are armed with the tools they need to live their best lives while managing their rare condition is a vital part of NORD’s mission.
Learn more https://rarediseases.org/patient-assistance-programs/rare-disease-educational-support/This first-of-its-kind assistance program is designed for caregivers of a child or adult diagnosed with a rare disorder.
Learn more https://rarediseases.org/patient-assistance-programs/caregiver-respite/No patient organizations found related to this disease state.
The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only. The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) does not endorse the information presented. The content has been gathered in partnership with the MONDO Disease Ontology. Please consult with a healthcare professional for medical advice and treatment.
Show Your Stripes® this Rare Disease Day® with a gift to NORD
Your donation will help more than 30 million Americans with a rare disease navigate their diagnosis, receive financial assistance, and access the care and support they deserve. Make your tax-deductible gift today!