[Locomotion and depression. Clinical and physiological aspects of gait alterations in Parkinson's disease and major depression].
[Locomotion and depression. Clinical and physiological aspects of gait alterations in Parkinson's disease and major depression].
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Kiel, DE · Author affiliation
Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Kiel, Germany.Location evidence
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Original abstract
BACKGROUND: Behavioral disturbances of patients with major depression manifest in various motor domains and are relevant for differential diagnosis, therapeutic interventions, as residual symptoms and possibly early manifestation of Parkinson's disease. Alterations of gait as the main component of locomotion are a clinically well-known motor phenomenon of depressed patients. Therefore, pathophysiology of gait disturbances, different methods to analyze gait and empirical findings in patients with major depression are summarized. METHODS: The current literature was examined including information of manufacturers, Medline, PubMed, PsychLIT and Excerpta Medica. Findings in healthy subjects, in Parkinson's disease, and in major depression are discussed in detail regarding specificity and clinical relevance. RESULTS: Kinematic analysis of gait regulation by videography, ultrasound, opto-electronic measures reveals information about disturbances in central nervous motor programming. Only few studies exist about quantitative data of gait alterations in patients with major depression. Results indicate disturbances in functions of the basal ganglia. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of gait using modern technology yields information about cortical and subcortical dysfunctions. Empirical findings in major depression need further investigation regarding their relevance as residual symptoms, as response predictors, and as risk factors for manifestation of Parkinson's disease.