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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Frontal Disconnection for Treating Mild Malformation of Cortical Development with Oligodendroglial Hyperplasia in Epilepsy (MOGHE) in the Frontal Lobe

Frontal Disconnection for Treating Mild Malformation of Cortical Development with Oligodendroglial Hyperplasia in Epilepsy (MOGHE) in the Frontal Lobe

Published on: August 16, 2024

Akinesia and the frontal lobe.

E Niedermeyer¹

¹Sinai Hospital, Division of Neurology, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

Clinical EEG and Neuroscience

|March 6, 2008

Summary

Severe akinetic episodes in Parkinson disease (PD) may stem from frontal lobe dysfunction, distinct from typical PD hypokinesia. This frontal involvement also explains freezing phenomena and potential severe complications.

Area of Science:

Neurology
Neuroscience
Movement Disorders

Background:

Parkinson disease (PD) is characterized by hypokinesia and freezing.
Severe akinetic episodes are less understood but have been reported.

Purpose of the Study:

To discuss akinesia and its variants in Parkinson disease.
To explore the role of frontal lobe dysfunction in severe akinesia and freezing.
To differentiate severe akinesia from common Parkinsonian hypokinesia.

Main Methods:

Literature review and clinical discussion.
Analysis of severe akinetic episodes in Parkinson disease patients.
Comparison of akinetic states with frontal lobe impairment and catatonia.

Main Results:

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Last Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Frontal Disconnection for Treating Mild Malformation of Cortical Development with Oligodendroglial Hyperplasia in Epilepsy (MOGHE) in the Frontal Lobe

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Published on: August 16, 2024

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Published on: July 31, 2019

Severe akinesia in PD may result from frontal lobe dysfunction, distinct from hypokinesia.
Frontal lobe involvement can cause severe complications, including freezing, in PD.
Catatonia, a form of schizophrenia, presents a unique akinesia with rare fatal hyperthermia.

Conclusions:

Frontal lobe dysfunction is a critical factor in severe akinesia and freezing in Parkinson disease.
Distinguishing severe akinesia from hypokinesia is clinically important.
Understanding these variants aids in managing complex PD presentations and related conditions.