title: Cognitive aspects of freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease: a challenge for rehabilitation.
abstract: Freezing of gait (FOG) is a very disabling symptom affecting up to half of the patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Evidence is accumulating that FOG is caused by a complex interplay between motor, cognitive and affective factors, rather than being a pure motor phenomenon. In the current paper, we review the evidence on the specific role of cognitive factors in FOG. Results from behavioral studies show that patients with FOG experience impairments in executive functioning and response selection which predict that motor learning may be compromised. Brain imaging studies strengthen the neural basis of a potential association between FOG and cognitive impairment, but do not clarify whether it is a primary or secondary determinant of FOG. A FOG-related reduction of cognitive resources implies that adaptation of rehabilitation interventions is indicated for patients with FOG to promote the consolidation of learning.
authors: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Tervuursevest 101, 3001, Heverlee, Belgium. elke.heremans@faber.kuleuven.be
authors: Elke
authors: E
authors: Heremans
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Nieuwboer
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Spildooren
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Vandenbossche
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Deroost
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Soetens
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Kerckhofs
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Vercruysse
mesh_terms: D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology*; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*