Abstract Details

Title Impaired midbrain networks connectivity underlies freezing of gait in Parkinson’s disease

Topic Movement Disorders

Presentation(s) P5 - Poster Session 5 (5:30 PM-6:30 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 10-015

Objective To investigate the relationship between structural integrity and functional connectivity (FC) of the midbrain in PD patients with/out FoG.

Background Freezing of gait (FoG) is a debilitating feature of PD and its pathophysiological mechanisms are poorly defined. It has been suggested that loss of cholinergic neurons in the midbrain contributes to gait abnormalities. Previous MRI studies in FoG patients showed a specific pattern of cortical atrophy and decreased FC within the motor and cognitive networks. However, the midbrain structural and functional impairment in FoG patients has not been addressed yet.

Design/Methods

16 PD-FoG (mean age=72±3 yrs), 16 PD-nonFoG (mean age=68.2±5 yrs), and 21 sex- and age-matched healthy controls (HCs) (mean age=64±13.5 yrs) were prospectively enrolled. All subjects underwent MRI including 3D T1-MPRAGE and rs-fMRI.. All reported comparisons: P_cFWE< 0.05.

Results Compared to HCs, the overall PD group demonstrated significant structural decrease in the bilateral cuneus. In FoG vs. HCs, significant decrease was observed in the bilateral cuneus, precuneus and left lingual gyrus. In FoG vs. nonFoG, significant decrease was observed in midbrain, thalamus, and cerebellar vermis. Within the midbrain network, FoG patients showed significant FC decreases in the cingulum compared to nonFoG, and in the right postcentral and supramarginal gyri compared to HCs. FC levels in cingulum as well as in the supramarginal gyrus were found to correlate with FoG severity (r=-0.53, r=-0.44; p<0.05 respectively).

Conclusions Midbrain structural damage as well as decreased FC within the mid-brain network, contribute to FoG in patients with PD.

Authors/Disclosures
PRESENTER	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
Matilde Inglese, MD, PhD (University of Genoa)	Dr. Inglese has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for SANOFI GENZYME. Dr. Inglese has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for BIOGEN. Dr. Inglese has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for NOVARTIS. Dr. Inglese has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for MERCK-SERONO. Dr. Inglese has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for ROCHE. Dr. Inglese has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for MS Journal.

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