An intensive exercise-based training program reduces prefrontal activity during usual walking in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Introduction: Parkinson's disease (PD) leads to a progressive loss of locomotor automaticity. Consequently, PD patients rely more on executive resources for the control of gait, resulting in increased prefrontal activity while walking. Exercise-based training programs may improve automaticity of walking and reduce prefrontal activity in this population.

Changes in Prefrontal Cortical Activity During Walking and Cognitive Functions Among Patients With Parkinson's Disease.

Walking becomes more and more degraded as Parkinson's Disease (PD) progresses. Previous research examined factors contributing to this deterioration. Among them, changes in brain cortical activity during walking have been less studied in this clinical population.