Sensory Re-weighting for Postural Control in Parkinson ’s Disease

In this study, we focused primarily on the change of sensory weighting parameters when sensory conditions change. We also tested the additional hypothesis that levodopa medication would improve sensory weighting for postural control. Materials and Methods Subjects The Institutional Review Board at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) approved the protocol for this experiment, and all subjects gave informed consent prior to participating. Eight subjects with PD (three female) and eight healthy, age-matched controls (two female) were recruited from the Balance Disorders Laboratory database and the Parkinson’s Center of Oregon Clinic at OHSU. Subjects with PD were selected based on the following inclusion criteria: (1) a diagnosis of idiopathic PD; (2) levodopa responsive, as demonstrated by a lower score on the Unified PD Rating Scale (UPDRS) motor examination when on anti-Parkinsonian medication compared to off medication; and (3) the ability to stand unsupported for 5 min both on and off medication. Subjects with PD were excluded if they had other neurological, sensory, or muscular disorders (e.g., diabetes, peripheral neuropathies, uncorrected visual problems, arthritis, stroke, or seizure). Control subjects were selected so that no significant differences existed between subjects with PD and controls in age (p = 0.79), height (p = 0.96), or weight (p = 0.71). Additional selection criteria for control subjects were: (1) no known neurological, sensory, or ...
Source: Frontiers in Human Neuroscience - Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research