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Relationship between freezing of gait (FOG) and other features of Parkinson's: FOG is not correlated with bradykinesia

  • Tel Aviv University
  • Harvard University

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

146 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: The pathophysiology of freezing of gait (FOG) is unclear. Objective: To assess the relationships between FOG and other parkinsonian features in Parkinson's disease (PD), focusing on levodopa effects. Methods: Nineteen PD patients with significant FOG in "off" were assessed while "off" and "on". Three observers independently viewed videotapes of a 130-m walk and scored FOG frequency. The Unified Parkinson's disease Rating Scale was used to evaluate clinical state. Results: FOG frequency was not correlated with other parkinsonian features in "off" and only with speech and writing in "on". Levodopa significantly decreased FOG frequency (p < 0.001). This reduction was strongly correlated with improvement of tremor (R = 0.80, p < 0.01) and speech (R = 0.62, p < 0.05), but not with improvement in rigidity, bradykinesia, or balance. Conclusion: Levodopa decreases FOG in PD. FOG is apparently an independent motor symptom, caused by a paroxysmal pathology that is different from that responsible for bradykinesia, rigidity or postural instability.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)584-588
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Clinical Neuroscience
Volume10
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2003

Funding

FundersFunder number
National Institutes of HealthAG-141 00, AG-08812, R-R-13622
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human DevelopmentR01HD039838

    Keywords

    • Akinesia
    • Freezing of gait
    • Parkinson's disease
    • Paroxysmal gait disorders

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