[Locomotion and depression. Clinical and physiological aspects of gait alterations in Parkinson's disease and major depression].
BACKGROUND
Behavioral disturbances of patients with major depression manifest in various motor domains and are relevant for differential diagnosis, therapeutic interventions, as residual symptoms and possibly early manifestation of Parkinson's disease. Alterations of gait as the main component of locomotion are a clinically well-known motor phenomenon of depressed patients. Therefore, pathophysiology of gait disturbances, different methods to analyze gait and empirical findings in patients with major depression are summarized.


METHODS
The current literature was examined including information of manufacturers, Medline, PubMed, PsychLIT and Excerpta Medica. Findings in healthy subjects, in Parkinson's disease, and in major depression are discussed in detail regarding specificity and clinical relevance.


RESULTS
Kinematic analysis of gait regulation by videography, ultrasound, opto-electronic measures reveals information about disturbances in central nervous motor programming. Only few studies exist about quantitative data of gait alterations in patients with major depression. Results indicate disturbances in functions of the basal ganglia.


CONCLUSIONS
Analysis of gait using modern technology yields information about cortical and subcortical dysfunctions. Empirical findings in major depression need further investigation regarding their relevance as residual symptoms, as response predictors, and as risk factors for manifestation of Parkinson's disease.
Wendorff
T
T
Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Kiel, Germany.
Linnemann
M
M
Lemke
M R
MR
D001479:Basal Ganglia / Q000503:physiopathology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008124:Locomotion / Q000502:physiology*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors
Lokomotion und Depression - Klinik und Physiologie des Ganges bei Morbus Parkinson und affektiven Störungen -