Objective: We aimed to compare motor and non-motor functions, 2D-spatiotemporal gait parameters and serum oxidative markers including catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) between freezer and non-freezer PD patients.

Background: Freezing of gait (FOG) a debilitating mobility problem which may be associated with cognitive deficits in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). The underlying pathophysiology of FOG remains undefined. Substantial evidence from PD patient specimens indicates that oxidative stress plays a central role in PD. However, no study looked into the anti oxidant status in the serum of PD patients who have prominent freezing against those who do not have freezing. We hypothesize that FOG patients may exhibit different redox profile as compared to those who are not.

Methods: Age- and gender-matched PD patients with FOG (n=27) and without FOG (n=25) were recruited from the Movement Disorders clinic. Motor and non-motor functions were assessed by MDS-UPDRS (I,II,III,IV). Gait parameters were studied employing GAITRite. Antioxidant enzyme (CAT, SOD) activities and MDA levels were measured spectrophotometrically. Differences in the parameters between freezers and non freezers were assessed using Mann Whitney U Test.

Results: The mean age of freezer and non-freezer PD patients were 65.5 and 64.5 years respectively. The motor and non-motor functions were significantly different (p 0.001) between freezers and non-freezers. Gait parameters including mean velocity (p 0.001), step length (p 0.001), stride length (p 0.001), single support time (p 0.031) and double support time (p 0.042) differed significantly between these groups. CAT, SOD and MDA levels estimated in freezers were compared with non-freezers. CAT and SOD were higher in FOG patients.

Conclusions: FOG patients reveal a higher degree of motor and non-motor impairment than non-freezer controls. Most of the gait parameters were more affected in FOG patients. The antioxidant enzymatic activities were further reduced in the FOG patients. Oxidative stress markers in serum could serve as biochemical correlates for motor and non-motor aberration in FOG patients.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/freezing-of-gait-in-parkinsons-disease-clinico-biochemical-observations/