Abnormal neural oscillations during gait and dual-task in Parkinson’s disease

Abstract

Gait dysfunctions are debilitating motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and may result in frequent falling with health complications. The contribution of the motor-cognitive network to gait disturbance can be studied more thoroughly by challenging motor-cognitive dual-task gait performances. Gait is a complex motor task that requires an appropriate contribution from motor and cognitive networks, reflected in frequency modulations among several cortical and subcortical networks. Electrophysiological recordings by scalp electroencephalography and implanted deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrodes have unveiled modulations of specific oscillatory patterns in the cortical-subcortical circuits in PD. In this review, we summarize oscillatory contributions of the cortical, basal ganglia, mesencephalic locomotor, and cerebellar regions during gait and dual-task activities in PD. We detail the involvement of the cognitive network in dual-task settings and compare how abnormal oscillations in the specific frequency bands in the cortical and subcortical regions correlate with gait deficits in PD, particularly freezing of gait (FOG). We suggest that altered neural oscillations in different frequencies can cause derangements in broader brain networks, so neuromodulation and pharmacological therapies should be considered to normalize those network oscillations to improve challenged gait and dual-task motor functions in PD. Specifically, the theta and beta bands in premotor cortical areas, subthalamic nucleus, as well as alpha band activity in the brainstem prepontine nucleus, modulate under clinically effective levodopa and DBS therapies, improving gait and dual-task performance in PD with FOG, compared to PD without FOG and age-matched healthy control groups.

Efficacy of Dual‐Task Training in Patients with Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review with Meta‐Analysis

“…First, methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro Scale, 37,38 a checklist of 11 items than can be answered as "yes" if the criterion is met and "no" if not. The total score (sum of items [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] can range between 0 (very low methodological quality) and 10 (high). The methodological quality of the studies can be excellent (10-9 points), good (8-6 points), fair (5-4 points) and low (3 or fewer points).…”

“…Gait and balance disorders are disabling consequences of PD 9 that reduce the functional independence required to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) 10,11 . Parkinsonian gait (or freezing of gait 12 ) is characterized by decreased propulsive force resulting in small, slow steps, stooped posture, low toe‐off, and impaired coordination between limbs 13 .…”

Rodents’ visual gamma as a biomarker of pathological neural conditions

“…Multiple neurological deficits display a reshaped gamma rhythm, showing changes in power, frequency, coherence, cross‐frequency coupling, and so on. In human patients, gamma alterations have been reported in a large plethora of conditions, ranging from Alzheimer's (Guan et al., 2022; Mably & Colgin, 2018; Mehak et al., 2022) and Parkinson's disease (Ding et al., 2022; Nimmrich et al., 2015; Nwogo et al., 2022), to epilepsy (Kitchigina, 2018), schizophrenia (McNally & McCarley, 2016; Onitsuka et al., 2022; Sohal, 2022), depression (Fitzgerald & Watson, 2018), dyskinesia (Wiest et al., 2022), substance use disorders (Ramlakhan et al., 2020), autism spectrum disorders (Kayarian et al., 2020; Orekhova et al., 2023; Rojas & Wilson, 2014), stroke (Storch et al., 2021), attention deficit hyperactivity and obsessive‐compulsive disorder (Yakubov et al., 2022), and many others.…”

Active and Passive Cycling Decrease Subthalamic β Oscillations in Parkinson's Disease

“…Many studies have contributed to the growing body of literature on the potential benefits of cycling as a therapeutic intervention for PD. [17][18][19] In this study, we investigated STN β (13-30 Hz) and high γ (60-100 Hz) power during both active and passive cycling with different cadences, and compared patients with and without FOG. The passive cycling experiment, where a motor provided a fixed cadence, allowed us to study the effect of isolated sensory information without motor activity.…”

“…Many studies have contributed to the growing body of literature on the potential benefits of cycling as a therapeutic intervention for PD 17‐19 . In this study, we investigated STN β (13–30 Hz) and high γ (60–100 Hz) power during both active and passive cycling with different cadences, and compared patients with and without FOG.…”