title: Differential pattern of hand-tapping compromise in vascular versus idiopathic parkinsonism: a study based on computerized movement analysis.
abstract: We tested the characteristics and the differential pattern of upper extremity motor compromise, comparing hand tapping in patients with subcortical vascular encephalopathy (SVE; n = 18), idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD; n = 18), and in healthy controls (n = 18). Both patient groups showed significant compromise in hand tapping compared with that in controls, with higher coefficients of variability (CV) regarding tapping amplitude and angular velocity, determined using a computerized movement analysis system. A differential tapping pattern in both patient groups could be demonstrated in that patients with PD showed lower tapping amplitudes than patients with SVE. Both patient groups displayed abnormalities in tapping rhythmicity compared with that in the control group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Universitätsklinikum Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Hansjörg
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bäzner
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Universitätsklinikum Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Jurik
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schanz
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Universitätsklinikum Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Blahak
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Universitätsklinikum Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Grips
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Universitätsklinikum Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Johannes C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Wöhrle
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Universitätsklinikum Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hennerici
mesh_terms: D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020734:Parkinsonian Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index