Journal Article

FZJ-2025-05739

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Differential gait disturbances in patients with Parkinson's disease and normal pressure hydrocephalus

Semmler, C. (Corresponding author) ; Wunderle, V. ; Kuzu, T. D. ; Onur, O. A. ; Grefkes, C. ; Fink, G. R.FZJ* ; Barbe, M. T. ; Weiss-Blankenhorn, P.FZJ*

2025
Elsevier Science Amsterdam [u.a.]

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1016/j.parkreldis.2025.108081

Abstract: Introduction: Gait disturbances are a key symptom in normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) and Parkinson's disease (PD). We employed instrument-supported gait analysis to characterize commonalities and differences in gait patterns among PD and NPH patients, as well as gait changes following disease-specific interventions (i.e., spinal tap and dopaminergic medication).Methods: Gait and balance analyses were conducted i) before and after NPH patients (n = 19) received a spinal tap, and ii) before and after PD patients (n = 19) received soluble dopaminergic medication. Change scores were calculated relative to each patient's baseline performance. Group differences were analyzed using independent sample t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests and within-group changes using paired sample t-tests or Wilcoxon signed-rank tests.Results: Static postural control (i.e., balance) did not differ between patient groups, but dynamic postural control did, with PD patients showing significantly reduced mediolateral sway and gait width compared to NPH patients. These parameters did not change after disease-specific interventions. For gait dynamics, PD patients demonstrated significantly higher values in pace and force parameters, which improved significantly in both groups following intervention. Finally, gait regularity showed lower variability and better rhythm-related parameters in PD patients compared to NPH patients, along with differential changes after interventions.Conclusion: Except for static postural control (i.e., balance), instrument-supported gait analysis revealed several characteristic gait differences between PD and NPH patients. Variability and rhythm, reflecting gait regularity, were best suited to differentiate gait disturbances in patients with PD and NPH.

Note: The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) – Project-ID 431549029 – SFB 1451 funded this project. CG received additional funding from project GRK 2783. OO received consulting fees from Biogen and Lilly and lecture fees from Eisai, Boston Scientific, and Functional Neuromodulation. This work was also supported by a Marga and Walter Boll-Foundation grant to OO and GRF.Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2025 Oct 10:108081. Online ahead of print.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Kognitive Neurowissenschaften (INM-3)

Research Program(s):

1. 5252 - Brain Dysfunction and Plasticity (POF4-525) (POF4-525)
2. DFG project G:(GEPRIS)431549029 - SFB 1451: Schlüsselmechanismen normaler und krankheitsbedingt gestörter motorischer Kontrolle (431549029) (431549029)

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Database coverage:
; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Clinical Medicine ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF < 5 ; JCR ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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