The potential of gait analysis to contribute to differential diagnosis of early stage dementia: current research and future directions.
Early differential diagnosis of dementia is becoming increasingly important as new pharmacologic therapies are developed, as these treatments are not equally effective for all types of dementia. Early detection and differential diagnosis also facilitates informed family decision making and timely access to appropriate services. Information about gait characteristics is informative in the diagnostic process and may have important implications for discriminating among dementia subtypes. The aim of this review paper is to summarize existing research examining the relationships between gait and dementia, including gait classification systems and assessment tools, gait patterns characteristic of different dementias (Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy Bodies, and fronto-temporal dementia), and the utility of gait analysis in early-stage diagnosis. The paper concludes with implications for future research.
Morgan
Debra
D
Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture, Institute of Agricultural Rural and Environmental Health, Royal University Hospital, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK. debra.morgan@usask.ca
Funk
Melanie
M
Crossley
Margaret
M
Basran
Jenny
J
Kirk
Andrew
A
Dal Bello-Haas
Vanina
V
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015140:Dementia, Vascular / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005684:Gait; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000209:etiology*; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D006850:Hydrocephalus, Normal Pressure / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D020961:Lewy Body Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D009460:Neurologic Examination