Gait Difficulties and Postural Instability in Adrenoleukodystrophy.

Gait and balance difficulties are among the most common clinical manifestations in adults with X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, but little is known about the contributions of sensory loss, motor dysfunction, and postural control to gait dysfunction and fall risk. To quantify gait and balance deficits in both males and females with adrenoleukodystrophy and evaluate how environmental perturbations (moving surfaces and visual surrounds) affect balance and fall risk. We assessed sensory and motor contributions to gait and postural instability in 44 adult patients with adrenoleukodystrophy and 17 healthy controls using three different functional gait assessments (25 Foot Walk test, Timed Up and Go, and 6 Minute Walk test) and computerized dynamic posturography.