Experts
in Tyneside have found a definitive link between the way someone walks and
dementia linked to Parkinson’s disease.
The
findings by researchers at Newcastle University mean that gait may be
used as an early warning sign to help predict the development of cognitive
impairment and dementia in the neurological disorder.
It
has been known for several years that there is a link between walk disturbance
and dementia in older adults, however until now the relationship has not been
clear in Parkinson disease sufferers.
Lynn
Rochester, professor of human movement science at Newcastle University and lead
author of the paper, said: “The relationship between gait and cognition has
never been established this early on and in such a large group of Parkinson’s
before.
“In
the future walking patterns may be a useful early warning system to help
identify dementia risk in Parkinson’s.
“Subtle
changes in someone’s walking pattern, for example slowing down of steps, and
increased sway from side to side are related to cognitive function even before
changes are seen in cognitive tests.
“Ongoing
work will confirm if it is possible to predict future cognitive decline and
dementia risk. However, this early work shows great promise.
“If
we can use this and test people who may be at risk, then we could pick up the
early signs and begin treatment and advice.”
If
subtle changes in walking patterns, some of which are undetectable to the eye,
could be an early warning sign of cognitive decline then it could be a guide to
alert medical practitioners that treatment is required. Although there is no
cure, early treatment can help to manage symptoms.
Dr
Beckie Port, Parkinson’s UK research communications officer, said: “We know
that people with Parkinson’s are at greater risk of developing problems with
dementia than people without, however we still don’t fully understand the
relationship between the two conditions.
“This
research, which builds upon our £1m study into Parkinson’s related dementia,
provides crucial insights into subtle changes in walking that could help us
identify people with Parkinson’s who are at risk of developing dementia and
problems with thinking and memory at a much earlier stage.
“This
means people at risk can be monitored closely, and receive treatments at an
earlier stage.”
More
than 120 people with Parkinson’s disease were tested, making Newcastle
University’s study the biggest in early Parkinson’s disease and they were
compared to over 180 older adults.
Volunteers
were asked to walk for two minutes in the lab and their stride pattern was then
analysed.
Factors
such as the length of stride, and sideways sway were looked at in a specially
designed gait laboratory at the Clinical Ageing Research Unit, a clinical
research facility jointly managed by Newcastle University and the Newcastle
Hospitals Foundation Trust.
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/health/newcastle-study-shows-link-between-7973701
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/health/newcastle-study-shows-link-between-7973701
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