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Updated: Dec 22, 2025
Low-Cost Gait Analysis for Behavioral Phenotyping of Mouse Models of Neuromuscular Disease
Published on: July 18, 2019
Genetic polymorphisms for BDNF, COMT, and APOE do not affect gait or ankle motor control in chronic stroke: A
Rehab Aljuhni1, Brice T Cleland1, Stephen Roth2
1Brain Plasticity Lab, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago , Chicago, IL, USA.
Abstract:
Background: Motor deficits after stroke are a primary cause of long-term disability. The extent of functional recovery may be influenced by genetic polymorphisms. Objectives: Determine the effect of genetic polymorphisms for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), and apolipoprotein E (APOE) on walking speed, walking symmetry, and ankle motor control in individuals with chronic stroke. Methods: 38 participants with chronic stroke were compared based upon genetic polymorphisms for BDNF (presence [MET group] or absence [VAL group] of a Met allele), COMT (presence [MET group] or absence [VAL group] of a Met allele), and APOE (presence [ε4+ group] of absence [ε4- group] of ε4 allele). Comfortable and maximal walking speed were measured with the 10-m walk test. Gait spatiotemporal symmetry was measured with the GAITRite electronic mat; symmetry ratios were calculated for step length, step time, swing time, and stance time. Ankle motor control was measured as the accuracy of performing an ankle tracking task. Results: No significant differences were detected (p ≥ 0.11) between the BDNF, COMT, or APOE groups for any variables. Conclusions: In these preliminary findings, genetic polymorphisms for BDNF, COMT, and APOE do not appear to affect walking speed, walking symmetry, or ankle motor performance in chronic stroke.
