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Disturbance of verticality perception and postural dysfunction in Parkinson's disease
K A Schindlbeck1, W Naumann1, A Maier1
1Department of Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Acta Neurologica Scandinavica
|October 25, 2017
Summary
Visual verticality perception is impaired in Parkinson's disease (PD), with initial deviation appearing early and increased variability emerging in later stages, linked to balance and gait issues.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Ophthalmology
- Neurology
Background:
- Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with known verticality perception abnormalities.
- The precise stage at which these dysfunctions emerge and their link to postural disorders require further clarification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between subjective visual vertical (SVV) dimensions and postural control in Parkinson's disease.
- To determine the stage of PD at which SVV dysfunctions arise.
Main Methods:
- Assessed SVV deviation and variability in 58 PD patients and 28 controls using a luminous line orientation task.
- Correlated SVV measures with subjective upright head position (SUH), disease stage, and clinical gait/balance assessments (MDS-UPDRS, Tinetti test).
Main Results:
- PD patients exhibited significantly higher SVV deviation and variability compared to controls.
- SVV deviation was observed in earlier stages, preceding abnormal variability.
- Increased SVV variability correlated with poorer balance, gait, and postural instability.
Conclusions:
- Visual verticality perception deficits, including deviation, are present even in early stages of Parkinson's disease.
- Emerging SVV variability in later PD stages is linked to significant postural and balance impairments.
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