scholarly journals Spatiotemporal Gait Patterns During Overt and Covert Evaluation in Patients With Parkinson’s Disease and Healthy Subjects: Is There a Hawthorne Effect?

2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 189-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Verónica Robles-García ◽  
Yoanna Corral-Bergantiños ◽  
Nelson Espinosa ◽  
María Amalia Jácome ◽  
Carlos García-Sancho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Gait Pattern ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Time Variability ◽  
Expectancy Effects ◽  
Experimental Conditions

Parkinson’s disease (PD) and aging lead to gait impairments. Some of the disturbances of gait are focused on step length, cadence, and temporal variability of gait cycle. Under experimental conditions gait can be overtly evaluated, but patients with PD are prone to expectancy effects; thus it seems relevant to determine if such evaluation truly reflects the spontaneous gait pattern in such patients, and also in healthy subjects. Thirty subjects (15 subjects with PD and 15 healthy control subjects) were asked to walk using their natural, preferred gait pattern. In half of the trials subjects were made aware that they were being evaluated (overt evaluation), while in the rest of the trials the evaluation was performed covertly (covert evaluation). During covert evaluation the gait pattern was modified in all groups. Gait speed was significantly increased (P = .022); step cadence and average step length were also significantly modified, the average step length increased (P = .002) and the cadence was reduced (P ≤ .001). Stride cycle time variability was unchanged significantly (P = .084). These changes were not significantly different compared between elderly and young healthy controls either. Due to the small sample size, a note of caution is in order; however, the significant results suggest that covert evaluation of gait might be considered to complement experimental evaluations of gait.

scholarly journals Role of MicroRNAs in Parkinson’s Disease

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (22) ◽  
pp. 5649 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suh Yee Goh ◽  
Yin Xia Chao ◽  
Shaikali Thameem Dheen ◽  
Eng-King Tan ◽  
Samuel Sam-Wah Tay
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Biological Molecules ◽  
Incomplete Penetrance ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Druggable Targets ◽  
The Brain

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a disabling neurodegenerative disease that manifests with resting tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity and postural instability. Since the discovery of microRNAs (miRNAs) in 1993, miRNAs have been shown to be important biological molecules involved in diverse processes to maintain normal cellular functions. Over the past decade, many studies have reported dysregulation of miRNA expressions in PD. Here, we identified 15 miRNAs from 34 reported screening studies that demonstrated dysregulation in the brain and/or neuronal models, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood. Specific miRNAs-of-interest that have been implicated in PD pathogenesis include miR-30, miR-29, let-7, miR-485 and miR-26. However, there are several challenges and limitations in drawing definitive conclusions due to the small sample size in clinical studies, varied laboratory techniques and methodologies and their incomplete penetrance of the blood–brain barrier. Developing an optimal delivery system and unravelling druggable targets of miRNAs in both experimental and human models and clinical validation of the results may pave way for novel therapeutics in PD.

scholarly journals Gambling Habits of People With Parkinson’s Disease: An Exploratory Study

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominic Nadeau ◽  
Isabelle Giroux ◽  
Martine Simard ◽  
Christian Jacques ◽  
Nicolas Dupré
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Impulse Control ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Slot Machines ◽  
Gambling Problem ◽  
Maladie De Parkinson ◽  
Gambling Activities

The development of pathological gambling (PG) among people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) is increasingly reported. The intake of dopamine agonists is most often associated with the emergence of this addiction. Although it is known that gambling habits contribute to the onset of gambling problems in the general population, these habits have not yet been studied in individuals with PD. Thus, this study aimed to explore gambling habits in people with PD. Twenty-five individuals with PD and 8 caregivers participated. Thirteen gamblers took part in a semi-structured interview regarding their gambling habits and the presence of a gambling problem and other impulse-control disorders. The results show that gamblers mainly play lotteries and slot machines. Most gamble for pleasure, but some reported wanting to win money to finance a cure for their PD. None of the gamblers involved a caregiver in their gambling activities and no gambler currently presented a gambling problem. However, 2 at-risk gamblers reported having developed a gambling problem in the past. This study sheds light on factors that may contribute to the development of PG among patients with PD, namely, the emergence of new reasons for gambling after a PD diagnosis, erroneous beliefs about gambling, and discretion about gambling habits. Prevention strategies are discussed in view of these results. However, given the small sample size, further studies examining the gambling habits of people with PD are required.RésuméDe plus en plus, on observe le développement du jeu pathologique (JP) chez les personnes atteintes de la maladie de Parkinson (MP). La prise d’agonistes de la dopamine est le plus souvent associée à l’émergence de cette dépendance. Bien qu’il soit connu que les habitudes de jeu contribuent à l’apparition de problèmes de jeu dans la population en général, ces habitudes n’ont pas encore été étudiées chez les personnes atteintes de la maladie de Parkinson (MP). Dans cette optique, cette étude explore les habitudes de jeu chez les personnes atteintes de la MP. Vingt-cinq personnes atteintes de la maladie de Parkinson et huit soignants y ont participé. Treize joueurs ont participé à une entrevue semi-structurée concernant leurs habitudes de jeu et la présence d’un problème de jeu et d’autres troubles liés au contrôle des impulsions. Les résultats montrent que les joueurs jouent principalement aux loteries et aux machines à sous. La plupart jouent par plaisir, mais certains ont déclaré vouloir gagner de l’argent pour financer une thérapie contre la maladie. Aucun des joueurs n’avait avec lui un fournisseur de soins dans ses activités de jeu et aucun joueur ne présentait actuellement de problème de jeu. Cependant, deux joueurs à risque ont déclaré en avoir développé un par le passé. Cette étude met en lumière les facteurs qui peuvent contribuer au développement du jeu pathologique chez les personnes atteintes de Parkinson, à savoir l’émergence de nouvelles raisons pour le jeu après un diagnostic de MP, les croyances erronées sur le jeu et la discrétion sur les habitudes de jeu. Compte tenu de ces résultats, des stratégies de prévention sont analysées. Cependant, étant donné la petite taille de l’échantillon, d’autres études examinant les habitudes de jeu des personnes atteintes de cette maladie sont nécessaires.

COMPARISON OF SPATIO-TEMPORAL GAIT VARIABLES IN PATIENTS WITH PARKINSON’S DISEASE AND SWEDD

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (08) ◽  
pp. 1840023 ◽  
Author(s):  
DO-YOUNG KWON ◽  
YOON-HYEOK CHOI ◽  
YU-RI KWON ◽  
GWANG-MOON EOM ◽  
JUNGHYUK KO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Dopamine Transporter ◽  
Stance Phase ◽  
Outcome Measure ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Gait Pattern ◽  
Time Difference ◽  
Spatio Temporal

Scans without evidence of dopaminergic deficit (SWEDD) refers to patients with a normal dopamine transporter scan among patients clinically diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD). It is essential to differentiate SWEDD from PD in order to avoid costly and inappropriate treatments. We investigated differences of gait pattern in PD patients and SWEDD patients. Twelve patients with SWEDD and 8 patients with PD participated in the gait test. All participants were instructed to walk along the GaitRite linear walkway at comfortable velocity. As outcome measure, various spatio-temporal gait variables were derived from commercial GaitRite software. Independent sample [Formula: see text]-tests were evaluated to investigate statistical differences between SWEDD patients and PD patients. SWEDD patients walked more quickly with longer step length compared to PD patients ([Formula: see text]). PD patients exhibited a longer stance phase with increased double-limb support period than SWEDD patients ([Formula: see text]). Step time difference of SWEDD patients was smaller than that of PD patients ([Formula: see text]). These findings suggest quantitative gait variables could be helpful for the identification of potential SWEDD patients. Also, understanding of gait strategies of SWEDD patients might be contributed to their effective medications and treatments.

scholarly journals Frequency of the LRRK2 G2019S mutation in late-onset sporadic patients with Parkinson’s disease

2014 ◽  
Vol 72 (5) ◽  
pp. 356-359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsin Fen Chien ◽  
Tamires Rocha Figueiredo ◽  
Marianna Almeida Hollaender ◽  
Fabiano Tofoli ◽  
Leonel Takao Takada ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Late Onset ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Genetical Analysis ◽  
G2019s Mutation ◽  
Lrrk2 Gene ◽  
And Gender

Mutations in the LRRK2 gene, predominantly G2019S, have been reported in individuals with autosomal dominant inheritance and sporadic Parkinson’s disease (PD). The G2019S mutation has an age-dependent penetrance and evidence shows common ancestry. The clinical manifestations are indistinguishable from idiopathic PD. Its prevalence varies according to the population studied ranging from less than 0.1% in Asians to 41% in North African Arabs. This study aimed to identify G2019S mutation in Brazilian idiopathic PD patients.Method:We sampled 100 PD patients and 100 age- and gender-matched controls. Genetical analysis was accomplished by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Results:No G2019S mutations were found in both patients with sporadic PD and controls.Conclusions:Our results may be explained by the relatively small sample size.

scholarly journals COVID-19 and Parkinson’s Disease: What We Know So Far?

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Carlo Alberto Artusi ◽  
Alberto Romagnolo ◽  
Claudia Ledda ◽  
Maurizio Zibetti ◽  
Mario Giorgio Rizzone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
General Population ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Infection Prevalence

Background: Many studies on Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients affected by Coronavirus-disease-2019 (COVID-19) were recently published. However, the small sample size of infected patients enrolled in most studies did not allow to draw robust conclusions on the COVID-19 impact in PD. Objective: We aimed to assess whether the prevalence and outcome of COVID-19 in PD patients are different from those observed in the general population. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of studies reporting data on PD patients with a diagnosis of COVID-19 (PD-COVID+). We extracted prevalence, clinical-demographic data, outcome, and mortality. We also analyzed risk or protective factors based on comparisons between PD-COVID+ and control populations with PD without COVID-19 or without PD with COVID-19. Results: We included 16 studies reporting on a total of 11,325 PD patients, 1,061 with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. The median infection prevalence ranged from 0.6% to 8.5%. PD-COVID+ patients had a median age of 74 and a disease duration of 9.4 years. Pooling all PD-COVID+ patients from included studies, 28.6% required hospitalization, 37.1% required levodopa dose increasing, and 18.9% died. The case fatality was higher in PD-COVID+ patients than the general population, with longer PD duration as a possible risk factor for worse outcome. Amantadine and vitamin D were proposed as potential protective factors. Conclusion: Available studies indicate a higher case fatality in PD patients affected by COVID-19 than the general population. Conversely, current literature does not definitively clarify whether PD patients are more susceptible to get infected. The potential protective role of vitamin D and amantadine is intriguing but deserves further investigation.

scholarly journals Measuring implicit sequence learning and dual task ability in mild to moderate Parkinson´s disease: A feasibility study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. e0251849
Author(s):  
Malin Freidle ◽  
Hanna Johansson ◽  
Alexander V. Lebedev ◽  
Urban Ekman ◽  
Martin Lövdén ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Reaction Time ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Sequence Learning ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Difficulty Level ◽  
Implicit Sequence Learning ◽  
Healthy Individuals

We investigated the feasibility aspects of two choice reaction time tasks designed to assess implicit sequence learning and dual task ability in individuals with mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease in comparison to healthy individuals. Twelve individuals with mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease and 12 healthy individuals, all ≥ 60 years of age, were included. A serial reaction time task was used as a measure of implicit sequence learning and a similar task but with the addition of a simple counting task, was used as a measure of dual task ability. We have present thorough descriptive statistics of the data but we have refrained from any inferential statistics due to the small sample size. All participants understood the task instructions and the difficulty level of both tasks was deemed acceptable. There were indications of task fatigue that demand careful choices for how best to analyse the data from such tasks in future trials. Ceiling effects were present in several accuracy outcomes, but not in the reaction time outcomes. Overall, we found both tasks to be feasible to use in samples of individuals with mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease and healthy older individuals.

scholarly journals Gambling Habits of People With Parkinson’s Disease: An Exploratory Study

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominic Nadeau ◽  
Isabelle Giroux ◽  
Martine Simard ◽  
Christian Jacques ◽  
Nicolas Dupré
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Impulse Control ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Slot Machines ◽  
Gambling Problem ◽  
Maladie De Parkinson ◽  
Gambling Activities

The development of pathological gambling (PG) among people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) is increasingly reported. The intake of dopamine agonists is most often associated with the emergence of this addiction. Although it is known that gambling habits contribute to the onset of gambling problems in the general population, these habits have not yet been studied in individuals with PD. Thus, this study aimed to explore gambling habits in people with PD. Twenty-five individuals with PD and 8 caregivers participated. Thirteen gamblers took part in a semi-structured interview regarding their gambling habits and the presence of a gambling problem and other impulse-control disorders. The results show that gamblers mainly play lotteries and slot machines. Most gamble for pleasure, but some reported wanting to win money to finance a cure for their PD. None of the gamblers involved a caregiver in their gambling activities and no gambler currently presented a gambling problem. However, 2 at-risk gamblers reported having developed a gambling problem in the past. This study sheds light on factors that may contribute to the development of PG among patients with PD, namely, the emergence of new reasons for gambling after a PD diagnosis, erroneous beliefs about gambling, and discretion about gambling habits. Prevention strategies are discussed in view of these results. However, given the small sample size, further studies examining the gambling habits of people with PD are required.RésuméDe plus en plus, on observe le développement du jeu pathologique (JP) chez les personnes atteintes de la maladie de Parkinson (MP). La prise d’agonistes de la dopamine est le plus souvent associée à l’émergence de cette dépendance. Bien qu’il soit connu que les habitudes de jeu contribuent à l’apparition de problèmes de jeu dans la population en général, ces habitudes n’ont pas encore été étudiées chez les personnes atteintes de la maladie de Parkinson (MP). Dans cette optique, cette étude explore les habitudes de jeu chez les personnes atteintes de la MP. Vingt-cinq personnes atteintes de la maladie de Parkinson et huit soignants y ont participé. Treize joueurs ont participé à une entrevue semi-structurée concernant leurs habitudes de jeu et la présence d’un problème de jeu et d’autres troubles liés au contrôle des impulsions. Les résultats montrent que les joueurs jouent principalement aux loteries et aux machines à sous. La plupart jouent par plaisir, mais certains ont déclaré vouloir gagner de l’argent pour financer une thérapie contre la maladie. Aucun des joueurs n’avait avec lui un fournisseur de soins dans ses activités de jeu et aucun joueur ne présentait actuellement de problème de jeu. Cependant, deux joueurs à risque ont déclaré en avoir développé un par le passé. Cette étude met en lumière les facteurs qui peuvent contribuer au développement du jeu pathologique chez les personnes atteintes de Parkinson, à savoir l’émergence de nouvelles raisons pour le jeu après un diagnostic de MP, les croyances erronées sur le jeu et la discrétion sur les habitudes de jeu. Compte tenu de ces résultats, des stratégies de prévention sont analysées. Cependant, étant donné la petite taille de l’échantillon, d’autres études examinant les habitudes de jeu des personnes atteintes de cette maladie sont nécessaires.

scholarly journals Gait Training in Virtual Reality: Short-Term Effects of Different Virtual Manipulation Techniques in Parkinson’s Disease

Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 419 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omar Janeh ◽  
Odette Fründt ◽  
Beate Schönwald ◽  
Alessandro Gulberti ◽  
Carsten Buhmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Freezing Of Gait ◽  
Strong Relationship ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Gait Training ◽  
Time Variability ◽  
Gait Symmetry

It is well documented that there is a strong relationship between gait asymmetry and the freezing of gait (FOG) in Parkinson’s Disease. The purpose of this pilot study was to find a “virtual reality (VR)- based” gait manipulation strategy to improve gait symmetry by equalizing step length. Fifteen male PD patients (mean age of 67.6 years) with FOG were assessed on a GAITRite® walkway. Natural gait was compared with walking conditions during “VR-based” gait modulation tasks that aimed at equalizing gait symmetry using visual or proprioceptive signals. Compared to natural gait, VR manipulation tasks significantly increased step width and swing time variability for both body sides. Within the VR conditions, only the task with “proprioceptive-visual dissociation” by artificial backward shifting of the foot improved spatial asymmetry significantly with comparable step lengths of both sides. Specific, hypothesis-driven VR tasks represent an efficient tool to manipulate gait features as gait symmetry in PD potentially preventing FOG. This pilot study offers promising “VR-based” approaches for rehabilitative training strategies to achieve gait symmetry and prevent FOG.

scholarly journals Effects of a Multidisciplinary Intervention on Daily-Living Gait Among Older Adults With Parkinson’s Disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 231-231
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Hausdorff ◽  
Moriya Cohen ◽  
Natalie Ganz ◽  
Yitchak Green ◽  
Inbal Badichi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Gait Speed ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Rehabilitation Program ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Time Variability ◽  
Walking Gait ◽  
Gait Quality

Abstract Multidisciplinary interventions can improve gait and balance in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, it is not yet known if these interventions also positively impact the quality of daily-living walking. We, therefore, examined the effects of a multidisciplinary, intensive out-patient rehabilitation program (MIOR) as delivered by the rehabilitation center of EZRA–LEMARPE organization on gait and balance as measured in the clinic and on every-day walking, as measured during 1-week of continuous measurement. 46 PD patients (age: 70.05±7.71; gender: 31.3% women; disease duration: 8.85±6.27 yrs) were evaluated before and after participating in 8-weeks of physical, occupational, and hydro-therapy, boxing, and dance (3 days/week; 5 hrs/day). After the intervention, clinical measures of balance (MiniBest Test of Balance delta: 1.82±3.30 points, p=0.001), mobility (TUG delta: -1.78±6.15sec; p=0.001), and usual-walking speed (delta 19±16cm/s; p<0.001) improved. Daily-living step counts and daily-living gait quality did not change (p>0.5). In exploratory analyses, subjects were categorized as responders (Rs) and non-responders (NRs) based on changes in their daily-living walking gait speed. Rs increased their daily-living gait speed (delta: 10±14cm/s; p<0.001); NRs did not. Rs (n=21) also improved their daily-living gait quality measures (e.g. stride regularity, step length, stride time variability). At baseline, disease severity (MDS-UPDRSIII) was lower (p=0.02) in Rs (25.33±11.47), compared to the NRs (34.38±14.27). These results demonstrate that improvements in the clinic do not necessarily transfer to improvements in daily-living gait. Further, in select patients, MIOR can ameliorate daily-living walking quality, potentially reducing the risk of falls and other adverse outcomes associated with impaired mobility.

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