title: Higher-level gait disorders: an open frontier.
abstract: The term higher-level gait disorders (HLGD) defines a category of balance and gait disorders that are not explained by deficits in strength, tone, sensation, or coordination. HLGD are characterized by various combinations of disequilibrium and impaired locomotion. A plethora of new imaging techniques are beginning to determine the neural circuits that are the basis of these disorders. Although a variety of neurodegenerative and other pathologies can produce HLGD, the most common cause appears to be microvascular disease that causes white-matter lesions and thereby disrupts balance/locomotor circuits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA.
authors.forename: John G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Nutt
mesh_terms: D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008124:Locomotion; D059906:Neuroimaging; D011597:Psychomotor Performance
keywords: balance; falls; gait; gait disorders; locomotor circuits