scholarly journals Connectivity of EEG synchronization networks increases for Parkinson’s disease patients with freezing of gait

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eitan E. Asher ◽  
Meir Plotnik ◽  
Moritz Günther ◽  
Shay Moshel ◽  
Orr Levy ◽  
...  

AbstractFreezing of gait (FoG), a paroxysmal gait disturbance commonly experienced by patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD), is characterized by sudden episodes of inability to generate effective forward stepping. Recent studies have shown an increase in beta frequency of local-field potentials in the basal-ganglia during FoG, however, comprehensive research on the synchronization between different brain locations and frequency bands in PD patients is scarce. Here, by developing tools based on network science and non-linear dynamics, we analyze synchronization networks of electroencephalography (EEG) brain waves of three PD patient groups with different FoG severity. We find higher EEG amplitude synchronization (stronger network links) between different brain locations as PD and FoG severity increase. These results are consistent across frequency bands (theta, alpha, beta, gamma) and independent of the specific motor task (walking, still standing, hand tapping) suggesting that an increase in severity of PD and FoG is associated with stronger EEG networks over a broad range of brain frequencies. This observation of a direct relationship of PD/FoG severity with overall EEG synchronization together with our proposed EEG synchronization network approach may be used for evaluating FoG propensity and help to gain further insight into PD and the pathophysiology leading to FoG.

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (12) ◽  
pp. 1040-1049
Author(s):  
Ya-Yun Lee ◽  
Chun-Hwei Tai ◽  
Beth E. Fisher

Background. Context-dependent behavior is a phenomenon in which people demonstrate superior performance in the context where a motor task was originally learned, but show poorer performance in an unfamiliar context. Previous studies found that people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) demonstrated greater context-dependency than nondisabled adults. Moreover, the frontostriatal circuit appeared to play a role in mediating context-dependent behavior. Neuroimaging studies showed that people with PD and freezing of gait (FoG) had difficulty recruiting the frontostriatal circuit when performing a set-shifting task, known to be mediated by this neural network. Objective. This study aimed to investigate whether individuals with PD and FoG (PD + FoG) would be more context-dependent than those without FoG (PD − FoG). Furthermore, the association between context-dependent behavior and set-shifting ability would be determined. Methods. Sixteen individuals with PD + FoG, 15 participants with PD − FoG, and 15 nondisabled adults (Control) were recruited. The participants practiced 3 numerical sequences, each associated with a specific context. One day following practice, the participants were tested under 2 conditions: the sequence-context associations remained the same as practice or were changed. Set-shifting ability was measured by the Trail Making Test (TMT). Results. Compared to the PD − FoG group, the PD + FoG group showed a greater decrement in normalized motor performance when the sequence-context associations were changed. Context-dependency correlated with the TMT in the PD − FoG group but not in the PD + FoG or Control groups. Conclusion. While people with PD + FoG appeared to be more context-dependent than individuals without FoG, a relationship between context-dependent behavior and set-shifting existed only in those without FoG.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 741-747 ◽  
Author(s):  
Young Eun Kim ◽  
Beomseok Jeon ◽  
Ji Young Yun ◽  
Hui-Jun Yang ◽  
Han-Joon Kim

2021 ◽  
pp. 026921552199052
Author(s):  
Zonglei Zhou ◽  
Ruzhen Zhou ◽  
Wen Wei ◽  
Rongsheng Luan ◽  
Kunpeng Li

Objective: To conduct a systematic review evaluating the effects of music-based movement therapy on motor function, balance, gait, mental health, and quality of life among individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Data sources: A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Physiotherapy Evidence Database was carried out to identify eligible papers published up to December 10, 2020. Review methods: Literature selection, data extraction, and methodological quality assessment were independently performed by two investigators. Publication bias was determined by funnel plot and Egger’s regression test. “Trim and fill” analysis was performed to adjust any potential publication bias. Results: Seventeen studies involving 598 participants were included in this meta-analysis. Music-based movement therapy significantly improved motor function (Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale motor subscale, MD = −5.44, P = 0.002; Timed Up and Go Test, MD = −1.02, P = 0.001), balance (Berg Balance Scale, MD = 2.02, P < 0.001; Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test, MD = 2.95, P = 0.001), freezing of gait (MD = −2.35, P = 0.039), walking velocity (MD = 0.18, P < 0.001), and mental health (SMD = −0.38, P = 0.003). However, no significant effects were observed on gait cadence, stride length, and quality of life. Conclusion: The findings of this study show that music-based movement therapy is an effective treatment approach for improving motor function, balance, freezing of gait, walking velocity, and mental health for patients with Parkinson’s disease.


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