Cortical thickness, stance control, and arithmetic skill: An exploratory study in premanifest Huntington disease.

Background: Huntington disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder most commonly manifesting in adulthood. Identification of biomarkers tracking neurodegeneration before the onset of motor symptoms is important for future interventional studies. Our study aimed to contribute in the phenotypic characterization of the premanifest HD phase.

Quantitative gait analysis in parkin disease: Possible role of dystonia.

Introduction: Parkin disease (PARK2, OMIM 602544) is an autosomal-recessive early-onset parkinsonism characterized by an early occurrence of lower limb dystonia. The aim of this study was to analyze spatiotemporal, kinematic, and kinetic gait parameters in patients with parkin disease in the OFF and ON conditions compared to healthy age-matched controls.

Methods: Fifteen patients with parkin disease and 15 healthy age-matched controls were studied in a gait analysis laboratory with an integrated optoelectronic system.

Gait asymmetry of transfemoral amputees using mechanical and microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knees.

Background: Amputees walk with an asymmetrical gait, which may lead to future musculoskeletal degenerative changes. The purpose of this study was to compare the gait asymmetry of active transfemoral amputees while using a passive mechanical knee joint or a microprocessor-controlled knee joint.

Methods: Objective 3D gait measurements were obtained in 15 subjects (12 men and 3 women; age 42, range 26-57).