Open AccessBrain metabolic alterations herald falls in patients with Parkinson’s disease
Author(s) -
Isaias Ioannis U.,
Brumberg Joachim,
Pozzi Nicoló G.,
Palmisano Chiara,
Canessa Andrea,
Marotta Giorgio,
Volkmann Jens,
Pezzoli Gianni
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
annals of clinical and translational neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.824
H-Index - 42
ISSN - 2328-9503
DOI - 10.1002/acn3.51013
Subject(s) - medicine , parkinson's disease , gait , pathophysiology , posterior parietal cortex , disease , neuroscience , balance (ability) , cerebellum , physical medicine and rehabilitation , psychology
Pathophysiological understanding of gait and balance disorders in Parkinson’s disease is insufficient and late recognition of fall risk limits efficacious follow‐up to prevent or delay falls. We show a distinctive reduction of glucose metabolism in the left posterior parietal cortex, with increased metabolic activity in the cerebellum, in parkinsonian patients 6–8 months before their first fall episode. Falls in Parkinson’s disease may arise from altered cortical processing of body spatial orientation, possibly predicted by abnormal cortical metabolism.