Non-motor predictors of freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease.
BACKGROUND
The etiology of freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease (PD) is yet to be clarified. Non-motor risk factors including cognitive impairment, sleep disturbance and mood disorders have been shown in freezing of gait.


RESEARCH QUESTION
We aimed to determine the predictive value of non-motor features in freezing of gait development.


METHODS
Data were obtained from the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative. Fifty PD patients with self-reported freezing of gait, and 50 PD patients without freezing of gait at the fourth year visit were included. Groups were matched for Movement Disorders Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III scores. Several cognitive and non-cognitive tests were used for non-motor features at baseline and over time. Executive function, visuospatial function, processing speed, learning and memory tests were used for cognition. Non-cognitive tests included sleepiness, REM sleep behavior disorder, depression and anxiety scales.


RESULTS
Patients with freezing of gait had higher scores on sleepiness, REM sleep behavior disorder, depression and anxiety scales. However, predictor model analysis revealed that baseline processing speed, learning and sleepiness scores were predictive of self-reported freezing of gait development over time.


SIGNIFICANCE
Our findings suggest that specific cognitive deficits and sleep disorders are predictive of future freezing of gait. These features may be helpful in identifying underlying networks in freezing of gait and should be further investigated with neuroimaging studies.
['Banks|Sarah J|SJ|', 'Bayram|Ece|E|', 'Shan|Guogen|G|', 'LaBelle|Denise R|DR|', 'Bluett|Brent|B|']
D000368:Aged D003072:Cognition Disorders D016208:Databases, Factual D018450:Disease Progression D005260:Female D005684:Gait D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic D006801:Humans D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D009483:Neuropsychological Tests D010300:Parkinson Disease D011237:Predictive Value of Tests D012189:Retrospective Studies D012307:Risk Factors
Freezing Gait Cognition Sleep Parkinson’s disease