Freezing of gait and major depressive disorder responding both to electroconvulsive therapy

Freezing of gait (FOG) is an episodic absence or marked reduction of forward progression of the feet despite the intention to walk [1]. During episodes of freezing, patients feel as if their feet ‘are being glued to the floor’. FOG is common in patients with Parkinson's disease and atypical parkinsonism, and is associated with greater disease severity [2]. Stress, anxiety, a depressive mood and cognitively challenging situations are notorious for provoking or increasing the severity of F OG [3]. Here, we present a patient who clinically presented with a major depressive disorder (MDD) that was accompanied by FOG, and whose freezing showed a remarkable response to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - July 3, 2019 Category: Neurology Authors: M. PhC. Klok, J. Nonnekes, M.L. Stek, B.R. Bloem, D. Rhebergen Tags: Correspondence Source Type: research