title: Association between linear measurements of corpus callosum and gait in the elderly.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Segmentation and diffusion-tensor-imaging of the corpus callosum (CC) have been linked to gait impairment. However, such measurements are impracticable in clinical routine. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between simple linear measurements of CC thickness with gait.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred and seventy-two community-dwelling subjects underwent neurological assessment and brain MRI. Mid-sagittal reformats of T1-weighted images were used to determine CC thickness. The association of measurements with clinical evaluation of gait was assessed by multivariate regression, controlling for numerous clinical and imaging confounders. Differences in CC thickness were, moreover, compared between subgroups with no, moderate or severe impairment of gait.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In univariate analyses, thickness of the genu and body of CC but not the splenium were associated with postural stability (P < 0.01). Multivariate regression revealed thickness of CC genu as the only imaging variable independently associated with gait (P = 0.01). Genu thickness was significantly different between subjects with high and low (P = 0.0003) or high and moderate (P = 0.001) risk of fall.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Atrophy of the CC genu is an imaging marker of gait impairment in the elderly suggesting higher risk of fall. Simple linear measurements of CC can help in MRI evaluation of patients with gait impairment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  • Regional atrophy of the corpus callosum reflects disruption of gait regulation • Genu thickness on cranial MRI is an independent marker of gait impairment • Findings help in the MRI evaluation of patients with gait impairment.
authors.affiliation: Tufts Medical Center and Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Harald
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Brodoefel
authors.forename: Ramesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ramachandran
authors.forename: Gustavo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pantol
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bergethon
authors.forename: Wei Qiao
authors.initials: WQ
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.forename: Tammy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rojas
authors.forename: Marius
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Horger
authors.forename: Irwin
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rosenberg
authors.forename: Rafeeque A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Bhadelia
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001284:Atrophy / Q000473:pathology; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods; D003337:Corpus Callosum / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012306:Risk