Perceptions of a Videogame-Based Dance Exercise Program Among Individuals with Parkinson's Disease.

Objective: Physical therapy, including exercise, improves gait and quality of life in Parkinson's disease (PD). Many programs promoting physical activity have generated significant short-term gains, but adherence has been a problem. A recent evidence-based analysis of clinical trials using physical therapy in PD patients produced four key treatment recommendations: cognitive movement strategies, physical capacity, balance training, and cueing.

Pupillary unrest correlates with arousal symptoms and motor signs in Parkinson disease.

Background: Arousal symptoms (e.g., sleepiness) are common in Parkinson's disease, and pupillary unrest (spontaneous changes in pupil diameter) is positively associated with sleepiness.

Autonomic insufficiency in pupillary and cardiovascular systems in Parkinson's disease.

Background: In Parkinson's disease (PD), neurodegenerative changes have been observed in autonomic pathways involving multiple organ systems. We explore pupillary and cardiac autonomic measures as physiological manifestations of PD neurodegeneration.

Methods: Pupil measures (pupillary unrest (spontaneous changes of pupil diameter in darkness), constriction velocity and redilation velocity) were assessed in 35 participants (17 PD, 18 controls).

White matter hyperintensities and cortical acetylcholinesterase activity in parkinsonian dementia.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the severity of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) and cortical acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in parkinsonian dementia (PDem).

Methods: PDem (n = 11) and control subjects (n = 14) underwent [11C]methyl-4-piperidinyl propionate (11C-PMP) AChE brain positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Presence of WMH on proton density and T2 MR images was scored using a modified version of the semi-quantitative rating scale by Scheltens et al.

Cognitive correlates of brain MRI subcortical signal hyperintensities in non-demented elderly.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) subcortical gray and capsular (SGCH) and white matter hyperintensities (WMH) and cognitive functions in non-demented community dwelling elderly.

Methods: The severity of SGCH and WMH on proton density and T2 MR images in 16 subjects was scored using the semi-quantitative rating scale of Scheltens et al. (1993).