Newcastle study shows link between walk and dementia in Parkinson's disease sufferers Oct 21, 2014 22:01 By Helen Rae

Newcastle University medical school

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