Can spiral analysis predict the FP‐CIT SPECT scan result in tremulous patients?

Abstract

There are significant differences in the 3TD and SD of spirals drawn by tremulous patients with normal versus abnormal FP-CIT scans. Spiral analysis may have some clinical value in helping to distinguish tremulous parkinsonian patients with normal presynaptic dopaminergic imaging from tremulous PD patients, providing results similar to those reported for expert movement disorder neurologists using standardized videotaped examinations.

Historical Analyses of Disordered Handwriting

“…188-189). Though Parkinsonian and essential tremor can sometimes be difficult to separate using clinical examination, it is important to make this separation in order to determine the correct prognosis and treatment of the condition, and a spiral-drawing task can help (Hess & Pullman, 2012, p. 2; Bajaj, Knöbel, Gontu, Bain, 2011). For example, a small drawn spiral can be indicative of Parkinson’s disease, displaying the micrographia or small, cramped, drawing that is sometimes caused by the condition, and patients with ataxia will produce ill-formed spiral shapes (Alty & Kempster, 2011, p. 624).…”

Could a new sensory pen assist in the early diagnosis of Parkinson’s?

“…The three prominent motor signs in PD are rigidity (muscular stiffness throughout the range of passive movement in a limb segment), bradykinesia (slow movement execution) and tremor (rest/postural/during activity). Handwriting examinations are commonly performed in the analysis of tremor and other impairments of PD during clinical assessments [2][3][4]. It is known that 7-10 years before manifestation of these symptoms, degeneration of the nervous system has already started [5].…”

Human Tremor: Origins, Detection and Quantification

“…By using this property this device can detect the movement of a subject following standard drawing patterns placed on it [27; 49; 50; 51; 52; 53; 54; 55; 56] Subjectively interpreted in previous decades, nowadays the digital spirography can provide quantitative data of the movement control [57]. The spirography has been considered valid and reliable to diagnose early Parkinson's disease [58], essential tremor [59] and to distinguish tremulous parkinsonian patients with normal presynaptic dopaminergic imaging from tremulous patients with Parkinson's disease [60]. In general, the signals are recorded and stored for posterior analysis.…”