Parkinsonian deficits in sensory integration for postural control: Temporal response to changes in visual input

• Published in: Parkinsonism & related disorders Vol. 12; no. 6; pp. 376 - 381
• Main Authors: Brown, Lesley A., Cooper, Stephanie A., Doan, Jon B., Clark Dickin, D., Whishaw, Ian Q., Pellis, Sergio M., Suchowersky, Oksana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2006
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antiparkinson Agents - therapeutic use; Biofeedback, Psychology - physiology; Biomechanical Phenomena; Cues; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Parkinson Disease - physiopathology; Parkinson's disease; Photic Stimulation; Postural control; Posture - physiology; Sensation - physiology; Sensory Deprivation - physiology; Sensory integration; Time Factors; Visual dependence; Visual Perception - physiology; Visual dependence; Parkinson's disease; Sensory integration; Postural control
• ISSN: 1353-8020; 1873-5126
• DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2006.03.004

This study investigated the effect of Parkinson's disease (PD) on the time course for postural control following the removal and reinsertion of visual information. Twelve medicated PD patients (PD) and 12 age matched control (CTRL) subjects performed two 45-s quiet standing trials, during which visual feedback was available (0–15 s), deprived (15–30 s), and then restored (30–45 s). The 45 s test trial was divided into 5 s time bins to compare the time-based effect of sensory reorganization during deprivation and reintegration. Results revealed an increase in Elliptical Sway Area (ESA) following visual deprivation for both groups; this increased ESA remained significantly higher than the baseline level for the duration of the deprivation period among PD patients and returned to baseline the level among CTRL. Despite elevated ESA at the end of visual deprivation among PD patients, neither group showed a change in ESA after visual information was restored. These results indicate a PD-associated deficit with the reorganization of sensory priorities for postural control, and may implicate the basal ganglia as being critical for integration of sensory information for postural control.