Gait asymmetry in glucocerebrosidase mutation carriers with Parkinson's disease.

Anjali Gera,Yuanqing Liu,Bichun Ouyang,Nicolette Purcell,Mark Buder,Joan A O’Keefe,Jessica Joyce,Gian Pal,Samantha Ruehl,J Lucas Mckay

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0226494

Abstract

BackgroundGBA mutation carriers with PD (PD-GBA) are at higher risk of cognitive decline, but there is limited data regarding whether there are differences in gait dysfunction between GBA mutation and non-mutation carriers with PD.Objectives/MethodsThe primary aim of this study was to use quantitative inertial sensor-based gait analysis to compare gait asymmetry in 17 PD-GBA subjects, 17 non-mutation carriers with PD, and 15 healthy control subjects using parameters that had gait laterality and were markers of bradykinesia, in particular arm swing velocity and arm swing range of motion and stride length.ResultsArm swing velocity was more symmetric in PD-GBA subjects vs. non-mutation carriers in the OFF state (12.5 +/- 8.3 vs. 22.9 +/- 11.8%, respectively, p = 0.018). In the ON-medication state, non-mutation carriers with PD, but not PD-GBA subjects, exhibited arm swing velocity (16.8 +/- 8.6 vs. 22.9 +/- 11.8%, p = 0.006) and arm range of motion (26.7 +/- 16.3 vs. 33.4 +/- 18.6%, p = 0.02) that was more asymmetric compared with the OFF-medication state.ConclusionsIn the OFF medication state, arm swing velocity asymmetry may be a useful parameter in helping to distinguish GBA mutation carriers with PD from non-mutation carriers.

Highlights

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative state affecting at least 1 million people in the United States [1]
In the ON-medication state, non-mutation carriers with PD, but not PD-GBA subjects, exhibited arm swing velocity (16.8 +/- 8.6 vs. 22.9 +/- 11.8%, p = 0.006) and arm range of motion (26.7 +/- 16.3 vs. 33.4 +/- 18.6%, p = 0.02) that was more asymmetric compared with the OFF-medication state
There were no significant differences in arm swing velocity asymmetry or arm range of motion asymmetry in the OFF vs. ON medication state in PD-GBA subjects (Fig 3)

Summary

Introduction

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative state affecting at least 1 million people in the United States [1]. Gait in PD-GBA and from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (K23-NS097625-03) www. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. GBA mutation carriers with PD (PD-GBA) are at higher risk of cognitive decline, but there is limited data regarding whether there are differences in gait dysfunction between GBA mutation and non-mutation carriers with PD.

Objectives

Methods

Findings

Conclusion