E Hill1, S Stuart1, S Lord1, S Del Din1, L Rochester2. 1. Institute of Neuroscience/Newcastle University Institute for Ageing, Clinical Ageing Research Unit, Newcastle University, United Kingdom. 2. Institute of Neuroscience/Newcastle University Institute for Ageing, Clinical Ageing Research Unit, Newcastle University, United Kingdom. Electronic address: lynn.rochester@newcastle.ac.uk.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Impaired postural control (PC) is common in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and is a major contributor to falls, with significant consequences. Mechanisms underpinning PC are complex and include motor and non-motor features. Research has focused predominantly on motor and sensory inputs. Vision and visuo-cognitive function are also integral to PC but have largely been ignored to date. The aim of this observational cross-sectional pilot study was to explore the relationship of vision and visuo-cognition with PC in PD. METHODS: Twelve people with PD and ten age-matched healthy controls (HC) underwent detailed assessments for vision, visuo-cognition and postural control. Vision assessments included visual acuity and contrast sensitivity. Visuo-cognition was measured by visuo-perception (object identification), visuo-construction (ability to copy a figure) and visuo-spatial ability (judge distances and location of object within environment). PC was measured by an accelerometer for a range of outcomes during a 2-min static stance. Spearman's correlations identified significant associations. RESULTS: Contrast sensitivity, visuo-spatial ability and postural control (ellipsis) were significantly impaired in PD (p=0.017; p=0.001; and p=0.017, respectively). For PD only, significant correlations were found for higher visuo-spatial function and larger ellipsis (r=0.64; p=0.024) and impaired attention and reduced visuo-spatial function (r=-0.62; p=0.028). CONCLUSIONS: Visuo-spatial ability is associated with PC deficit in PD, but in an unexpected direction. This suggests a non-linear pattern of response. Further research is required to examine this novel and important finding.
INTRODUCTION: Impaired postural control (PC) is common in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and is a major contributor to falls, with significant consequences. Mechanisms underpinning PC are complex and include motor and non-motor features. Research has focused predominantly on motor and sensory inputs. Vision and visuo-cognitive function are also integral to PC but have largely been ignored to date. The aim of this observational cross-sectional pilot study was to explore the relationship of vision and visuo-cognition with PC in PD. METHODS: Twelve people with PD and ten age-matched healthy controls (HC) underwent detailed assessments for vision, visuo-cognition and postural control. Vision assessments included visual acuity and contrast sensitivity. Visuo-cognition was measured by visuo-perception (object identification), visuo-construction (ability to copy a figure) and visuo-spatial ability (judge distances and location of object within environment). PC was measured by an accelerometer for a range of outcomes during a 2-min static stance. Spearman's correlations identified significant associations. RESULTS: Contrast sensitivity, visuo-spatial ability and postural control (ellipsis) were significantly impaired in PD (p=0.017; p=0.001; and p=0.017, respectively). For PD only, significant correlations were found for higher visuo-spatial function and larger ellipsis (r=0.64; p=0.024) and impaired attention and reduced visuo-spatial function (r=-0.62; p=0.028). CONCLUSIONS: Visuo-spatial ability is associated with PC deficit in PD, but in an unexpected direction. This suggests a non-linear pattern of response. Further research is required to examine this novel and important finding.
Authors: Rosie Morris; Douglas N Martini; Katrijn Smulders; Valerie E Kelly; Cyrus P Zabetian; Kathleen Poston; Amie Hiller; Kathryn A Chung; Laurice Yang; Shu-Ching Hu; Karen L Edwards; Brenna Cholerton; Thomas J Grabowski; Thomas J Montine; Joseph F Quinn; Fay Horak Journal: Parkinsonism Relat Disord Date: 2019-07-04 Impact factor: 4.891
Authors: Ríona Mc Ardle; Stephanie Pratt; Christopher Buckley; Silvia Del Din; Brook Galna; Alan Thomas; Lynn Rochester; Lisa Alcock Journal: Front Bioeng Biotechnol Date: 2021-03-11