Freezing of gait in PD

• DOI: 10.1212/wnl.56.12.1712
• Publication Date: 2012-05-14T21:00:05Z
• Authors: N. Giladi; M. P. McDermott; S. Fahn; S. Przedborski; J. Jankovic; M. Stern; C. Tanner
• Keywords: Male; Parkinson Disease; Middle Aged; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Double-Blind Method; Selegiline; Humans; Vitamin E; Female; Prospective Studies; Gait; Aged

To study the development of freezing gait in PD.Freezing is a common, disabling, and poorly understood symptom PD.The authors analyzed data from 800 patients with early PD Deprenyl Tocopherol Antioxidative Therapy Parkinsonism (DATATOP) clinical trial who were assigned either placebo, deprenyl, tocopherol, or combination deprenyl tocopherol. The primary outcome measure was time randomization until score on Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) became positive.Fifty-seven (7.1%) had at entry 193 (26%) remaining experienced by end follow-up period. Those baseline significantly more advanced disease than those without symptom, as measured total UPDRS Hoehn Yahr stage. High risk factors for developing during period onset disorder; higher scores rigidity, postural instability, bradykinesia speech; longer duration. In contrast, tremor strongly associated decreased gait. At follow-up, signs most phenomenon gait, balance, speech disorders, not rigidity bradykinesia. treatment gait; tocopherol no effect.Freezing directly related to duration PD. Risk are absence beginning disorder. course illness balance problems, less so worsening bradykinesia, progression rigidity. These results support concept that distinct Deprenyl, L-dopa, found be an effective prophylactic should considered have difficulty.