Myerson's sign

Myerson's sign is a neurological symptom where a patient is unable to resist blinking when tapped on the bridge of the nose. This sign is often associated with Parkinson's disease and other extrapyramidal disorders.

Overview[edit | edit source]

Myerson's sign is a clinical sign in which repetitive tapping (about 2 per second) over the bridge of the nose produces a sustained blink response (glabellar tap reflex). The sign is named after the American neurologist Abraham Myerson. It is often associated with Parkinson's disease and is considered a form of hypokinesia.

Clinical significance[edit | edit source]

Myerson's sign is often used as a diagnostic tool in the evaluation of patients with suspected Parkinson's disease. It is one of the motor symptoms that may be present in the early stages of the disease. However, it is not specific to Parkinson's disease and can also be seen in other conditions such as progressive supranuclear palsy, Wilson's disease, and Huntington's disease.

Pathophysiology[edit | edit source]

The exact mechanism of Myerson's sign is not fully understood. It is thought to be due to a loss of inhibition in the brainstem reflexes, which is a characteristic feature of Parkinson's disease and other extrapyramidal disorders. The sustained blink response is believed to be due to a failure of the normal inhibitory processes in the brain that control the blink reflex.

Treatment[edit | edit source]

There is no specific treatment for Myerson's sign. Treatment is directed towards the underlying condition causing the sign. In the case of Parkinson's disease, medications such as levodopa and dopamine agonists may help to reduce the severity of the sign.

References[edit | edit source]

Myerson's sign Resources
Need Help Finding a Doctor? Need help finding a doctor or specialist anywhere in the world? Explore our world directory. WikiMD's DocFinder can assist you in locating millions of physicians.	Medical Knowledge Access the latest research - Most recent articles Ongoing trials.