The Potential of Gait Analysis to Contribute to Differential Diagnosis of Early Stage Dementia: Current Research and Future Directions

Abstract

Early differential diagnosis of dementia is becoming increasingly important as new pharmacologic therapies are developed, as these treatments are not equally effective for all types of dementia. Early detection and differential diagnosis also facilitates informed family decision making and timely access to appropriate services. Information about gait characteristics is informative in the diagnostic process and may have important implications for discriminating among dementia subtypes. The aim of this review paper is to summarize existing research examining the relationships between gait and dementia, including gait classification systems and assessment tools, gait patterns characteristic of different dementias (Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy Bodies, and fronto-temporal dementia), and the utility of gait analysis in early-stage diagnosis. The paper concludes with implications for future research.

Quantitative Mobility Assessment for Fall Risk Prediction in Dementia: A Systematic Review

“…Walking is a task that requires cognitive input, particularly in the domains of attention and executive functioning [6][7][8][9]. Balance, the ability to maintain postural control, also requires cognitive input [10]. Hence, changes in cognitive function contribute to gait disturbances, balance disorders, and increased fall risk [2,11].…”

Framework Utilizing Machine Learning to Facilitate Gait Analysis as an Indicator of Vascular Dementia

“…Several research studies have identified gait as an important marker in early identification of vascular dementia [8], [9], [16], [38], while some other researchers have identified executive function as an early marker for subcortical vascular dementia [33], [35]- [37]. We are proposing a framework that combines gait and executive function as a hybrid early predictor of subcortical vascular dementia.…”

“…Measuring changes in gait pattern or alterations in the center of mass enables tracking the changes in gait after a significant cardiovascular event. Gait analysis can be traced back to the early eighties where the analysis was done to in the assessment of cerebral palsy, neuromuscular disorders and other orthopedic evaluations [33].…”

“…The Stride length and gait speed will be tracked during this phase, as executive function disorders were recognized as a reduction in gait speed and stride length [33]. One mechanism for examining executive function is by verb recognition or by dual function performance such as finger tapping while walking or verb recognition while walking [33], [35]- [37].…”

“…One mechanism for examining executive function is by verb recognition or by dual function performance such as finger tapping while walking or verb recognition while walking [33], [35]- [37].…”