M J Gallardo1, J P Cabello2, C Pastor2, J J Muñoz-Torrero2, S Carrasco2, R Ibañez2, J Vaamonde2. 1. Servicio de Neurología, Hospital General Universitario de Ciudad Real, Ciudad Real, España. Electronic address: mariajogallardo@hotmail.com. 2. Servicio de Neurología, Hospital General Universitario de Ciudad Real, Ciudad Real, España.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Freezing of gait (FOG) is one of the most disabling and enigmatic symptoms in Parkinson's disease. Vascular lesions, observed in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, may produce or exacerbate this symptom. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study includes 22 patients with Parkinson's disease subjects, 12 with freezing of gait and 10 without. All patients underwent an MRI scan and any vascular lesions were analysed using the modified Fazekas scale. RESULTS: Patients with FOG scored higher on the modified Fazekas scale than the rest of the group. Although the two groups contained the same percentage of patients with vascular lesions (50% in both groups), lesion load was higher in the group of patients with FOG. Vascular lesions in the periventricular area and deep white matter seem to be the most involved in the development of FOG. DISCUSSION: Vascular lesions may contribute to the onset or worsening of FOG in patients with PD. This study suggests that cerebral vascular disease should be considered in patients with FOG.
INTRODUCTION: Freezing of gait (FOG) is one of the most disabling and enigmatic symptoms in Parkinson's disease. Vascular lesions, observed in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, may produce or exacerbate this symptom. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study includes 22 patients with Parkinson's disease subjects, 12 with freezing of gait and 10 without. All patients underwent an MRI scan and any vascular lesions were analysed using the modified Fazekas scale. RESULTS:Patients with FOG scored higher on the modified Fazekas scale than the rest of the group. Although the two groups contained the same percentage of patients with vascular lesions (50% in both groups), lesion load was higher in the group of patients with FOG. Vascular lesions in the periventricular area and deep white matter seem to be the most involved in the development of FOG. DISCUSSION: Vascular lesions may contribute to the onset or worsening of FOG in patients with PD. This study suggests that cerebral vascular disease should be considered in patients with FOG.
Keywords:
Congelación de la marcha; Enfermedad de Parkinson; Escala de Fazekas; Fazekas scale; Freezing of gait; Lesiones vasculares cerebrales; Parkinson's disease; Vascular lesions
Authors: Diane M A Swallow; Michael A Lawton; Katherine A Grosset; Naveed Malek; Johannes Klein; Fahd Baig; Claudio Ruffmann; Nin P Bajaj; Roger A Barker; Yoav Ben-Shlomo; David J Burn; Thomas Foltynie; Huw R Morris; Nigel Williams; Nicholas W Wood; Michele T M Hu; Donald G Grosset Journal: J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry Date: 2016-09-26 Impact factor: 10.154