Although ideomotor limb apraxia is considered to be a typical sign of cortical pathologies such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), it has been also reported in subcortical neurodegenerative diseases and vascular lesions. We aimed to investigate the difference between AD, subcortical vascular dementia (SVaD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients by means of ideomotor limb apraxia frequency and severity. Ninety-six AD, 72 SVaD, and 84 MCI patients were assessed with the mini-mental status examination (MMSE), clinical dementia rating (CDR) and the apraxia screening test of TULIA (AST). Apraxia was significantly more frequent in the AD patients (32.3%) than in both of the SVaD (16.7%) and MCI (4.8%) patients. The frequency of apraxia was also significantly higher in SVaD patients than in MCI patients. AD patients had significantly lower apraxia scores than both SVaD and MCI patients. In addition, a significant difference was found between SVaD and MCI patients in terms of apraxia scores. These results suggest that the widespread belief of the association between apraxia and cortical dementias is not exactly correct. The significant difference between both of the dementia groups and the MCI patients suggests that the absence of apraxia can be an indicator for MCI diagnosis.

In the elderly population, Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder and is associated with morphological changes in the basal ganglia, especially the substantia nigra (SN). This study aimed to evaluate the volume and signal intensity (SI) of SN using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to detect structural changes and investigate the relationship between the onset side and disease severity of PD. Clinical features and imaging data of 58 patients with PD were retrospectively analyzed from their medical records. Axial T2-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequences of 3 Tesla (T) MRIs were used for the measurements. The right and left SN volumes and SI measurements were calculated in duplicate by 2 blinded and qualified neuroradiologists. The side of disease onset, disease duration, levodopa equivalent daily dose, Movement Disorder Society-sponsored Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS III) motor score, and modified Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) scale scores were recorded and compared with SN volume and SI measurements. No statistically significant difference was found between the disease onset side and contralateral SN volume or SI measurements (P > .05). Despite high inter- and intra-rater reliability rates, there was no significant difference in the volume and SI of the contralateral SN according to H&Y stages (P > .05). Furthermore, SN volume and SI measurements were not significantly correlated with disease duration and MDS-UPDRS III motor score (P > .05). SN volume and SI values measured using axial FLAIR 3T MRI are not correlated with the side of onset or disease severity in PD. New imaging methods are required to detect preclinical or early-stage PD.

Background/Objectives: Subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) is a standard treatment for motor complications in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Its impact on axial symptoms is still not fully understood. This study aimed to quantitatively evaluate the effect of frequency changes within the therapeutic window on postural control performances of individuals with PD who underwent bilateral STN-DBS. Methods: Postural control was assessed using Computerized Dynamic Posturography with randomized DBS frequency parameters, low (60 Hz), high (130 Hz), and very high (180 Hz), across six sensory organization test (SOT) conditions. Results: Twenty PD participants with a mean age of 61.2 ± 10.1 years were included. There were no differences in equilibrium scores of SOT conditions between 60, 130, and 180 Hz frequencies (p > 0.05), except the SOT6 score (p = 0.003), where 60 Hz showed better equilibrium performance in SOT6, indicating an advantage in postural control when visual cues are disturbed. Discussion: Low-frequency settings (60 Hz) in STN-DBS may benefit those who rely heavily on visual cues while ineffectively using somatosensory and vestibular inputs. Conclusions: A tailored approach to the DBS frequency setting could optimize postural stability and reduce fall risk in these patients. Future research is needed to explore these mechanisms to enhance therapeutic strategies.

Objective: Postural deformities such as camptocormia affect over 30% of Parkinson’s disease patients, impairing balance, gait, and quality of life. This study evaluated a vibratory-feedback posture brace versus conventional exercises in Parkinson’s disease. Design: In this pilot randomized controlled trial, 28 individuals with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (Hoehn & Yahr stage 2–3) and stooped posture were assigned to either a 6-wk daily exercise program (posture exercise group, n = 13) or a wearable brace (sensor brace group, n = 15), worn around 8 hrs/d. The brace delivered vibration cues when forward flexion exceeded a set threshold. Primary outcomes were craniovertebral and cranio-horizontal angle (APECS); the secondary was static balance (Tetrax fall index). Group × time effects were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance (α = 0.05). Results: Groups were similar at baseline. At 2 wks, only the sensor brace group showed significant improvement in cranio-horizontal angle (~ −2°, P = 0.046), indicating a short-term, localized benefit. By 6 wks, both groups had modest head posture improvements. Trunk sagittal angle and fall index showed no significant change. Conclusions: The sensor-based brace improved upper cervical posture in the short-term and was well tolerated. Longer training or combined strategies may yield greater functional gains.