Resumen en Inglés:

Abstract Spontaneous downbeat nystagmus (DBN) is the most common form of acquired nystagmus, characterized by a slow upward ocular drift and a corrective downward quick phase. The pathophysiology involves a final common pathway leading to decreased inhibition of the superior vestibular nucleus, often secondary to lesions in the flocculonodular lobes (flocculus/paraflocculus, FL/PFL), the paramedian tract (PMT), or the dorsal vermis. The clinical presentation generally includes chronic dizziness, gait unsteadiness, and oscillopsia. The causes are diverse, encompassing Chiari malformation, vascular and demyelinating lesions, hereditary and acquired cerebellar ataxias, and toxic-metabolic causes. Approximately 40% of DBN cases remain idiopathic. The treatment involves disease-specific management, prism glasses, and vestibular rehabilitation. Pharmacotherapy, such as clonazepam, gabapentin, or baclofen (with 4-aminopyridine being the most beneficial but often unavailable), is considered a second-line intervention.

Resumen en Inglés:

Abstract Constantin von Economo was a brilliant neuroscientist whose 33 years of intense productivity are documented in over 4,200 pages of published works. He was best recognized for his notable research on encephalitis lethargica and the detailed cytoarchitectonic mapping of the human cerebral cortex. However, less widely known is that von Economo was also an aviation enthusiast, a skilled balloon and airplane pilot, who held prominent positions in aviation organizations, actively promoted international aeronautical meetings, and gained distinction as a pilot during World War I. Therefore, we aimed to revisit this remarkable but often overlooked aspect of his biography, emphasizing his love of the aeronautical arts and its impact on his medical career.