The Neurophysiology of Transitions of Freezing of Gait

Grant #: 1R01NS136323-01

Project Description: Freezing of gait (FOG) is one of the most debilitating features of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and occurs most often during self-initiated (uncued) transitions in movement (e.g. standing to walking, straight-line walking to turning), but can be overcome (and transition performance improved) with the provision of an external sensory cue. This study will use a variety of neurophysiological techniques to investigate the role that three neural systems (vestibular, cortical, and basal ganglia) play in the pathogenesis of impaired transitions from standing- to-walking in people with PD, and how external cues affect the dynamics of these systems to improve movement performance. This project will provide unique insight into the alterations in brain activity associated with FOG and cueing, which may then be translated into treatments to prevent FOG and improve quality of life in people with PD.