Gait Analysis in Neurological Disease

This study aims to determine whether the gait patterns in these subjects differ in predictable and quantifiable ways from those of age- and sex-matched healthy controls. This will be conducted by asking 40 Parkinsonian disorder subjects and 40 age-matched healthy control subjects to walk 9 trials over an 18 ft walkway embedded with pressure sensors at baseline, self-selected slower and faster speeds. In addition, the protocol aims to investigate whether clusters of gait patterns can be identified within subgroups of individuals with parkinsonian disorders with varying co-morbidities or treatment conditions as well as patients with ataxia syndromes. For this aim an additional 20 Parkinsonian disorder subjects need to be recruited. Patients with parkinsonism as defined by UK PD Brain Bank Criteria (n=60), subjects with acquired or inherited ataxic syndromes (n=10) and age- and sex matched controls (n=40) will be recruited. There is an optional second visit in the protocol during which approximately 20 subjects with Parkinsonian disorders, who are willing to come off antiparkinson medication and if applicable, off both medication and deep brain stimulation, are asked to walk an additional 9 trials.