Abstract
Background: Gait impairment is suggested to predict the onset of dementia in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Interestingly, studies have shown that PD patients with cognitive deficits mediated by posterior brain areas are at greater risk of developing dementia than those with frontal deficits. Yet, it remains unknown whether PD patients with posterior cognitive deficits show differences in gait when compared to those with frontal deficits. Aim: This study aimed to compare gait of individuals with PD showing “posterior”, “frontal”, or no cognitive impairment (NCI). Methods: Based on a sample of 64 individuals with PD, median scores were calculated for three neuropsychological tests relying on “frontal” and three relying on “posterior” brain areas. Individuals assigned into the Frontal or Posterior groups showed at least 2 out of 3 scores lower than the median in frontal or posterior tests, respectively. Those with 0 or 1 score lower than the median were classified as NCI. Participants walked under single and dual task conditions. Results: All groups walked slower, with greater variability, wider base of support, and longer double support in the dual task condition. Interpretation: PD patients with posterior cognitive deficits walk similarly to those with frontal deficits and those with normal cognition.
Highlights
Deficits in gait and cognition are commonly observed in individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD)
Researchers have argued that changes in gait can precede and predict cognitive decline in PD and that the progression of gait and cognitive deficits could result from shared underlying mechanisms. 4-7 gait has been proposed as a surrogate marker for dementia in PD
Post-hoc analysis showed that the Frontal group performed worse than both Posterior and no cognitive impairment (NCI) groups in the Stroop (Posterior p=0.038; NCI p=0.005), Trail Making Test19 (TMT)
Summary
Deficits in gait and cognition are commonly observed in individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Studies have shown that PD patients with cognitive deficits mediated by posterior brain areas are at greater risk of developing dementia than those with frontal deficits. It remains unknown whether PD patients with posterior cognitive deficits show differences in gait when compared to those with frontal deficits. AIM: This study aimed to compare gait of individuals with PD showing “posterior”, “frontal”, or no cognitive impairment (NCI). Individuals assigned to the Frontal or Posterior groups showed at least 2 out of 3 scores lower than the median in frontal or posterior tests, respectively. CONCLUSION: PD patients with posterior cognitive deficits walk to those with frontal deficits and those with normal cognition
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
