Three-dimensional gait analysis of the effect of directional steering on gait in patients with Parkinson's disease

INTRODUCTION

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is an option to treat advanced Parkinson's Disease (PD), but can cause gait disturbance due to stimulation side efffects. This study aims to evaluate the objective effect of directional current steering by DBS on gait performance in PD, utilizing a three-dimensional gait analysis system.

METHODS

Eleven patients diagnosed with PD and were implanted with directional lead were recruited. The direction of the pyramidal tract (identified by the directional mode screening) was set as 0°. Patients performed the six-meter-walk test and the time up-and-go (TUG) test while an analysis system recorded gait parameters utilizing a three-dimensional motion capture camera. The gait parameters were measured for the baseline, the directional steering at eight angles (0°, 45°, 90°, 135°, 180°, 225°, 270°, and 315°), and the conventional ring mode with 1, 2, and 3 mA. Pulse width and frequency were fixed. Placebo stimulation (0 mA) was used for a control.

RESULTS

Eleven patients completed the study. No significant difference were observed between gait parameters during the directional, baseline, placebo, or ring modes during the six-meter-walk test (p > 0.05). During the TUG test, stride length was significantly different between 0° and other directions (p < 0.001), but no significant differences were observed for the other gait parameters. Stride width was non-significantly narrower in the direction of 0°.

CONCLUSION

Controlling stimulation using directional steering may improve gait in patients with PD, while avoiding pyramidal side effects.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome Following the Administration of Adenovirus Vector-Based COVID-19 Vaccine

As countries worldwide deployed their respective coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination programs to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 to their citizens, several side effects and complications from the use of the various types of COVID-19 vaccines were documented and are continued to be monitored to further study the safety and efficacy of these vaccines. One such complication, the Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), was reported in some individuals who received a COVID-19 adenovirus vector-based vaccine. In this particular report, we describe one such case. The patient had diarrhea and fever one day after vaccination, which was a triggering event. Seven days post vaccination, the patient had bilateral symmetrical weakness with absent deep tendon reflexes. However, causality between the vaccine administered and the suspected adverse reaction cannot be readily assumed. The benefits and risk profiles of each available vaccine should be assessed continuously for it to be improved and truly useful in this pandemic. Thorough post-vaccination surveillance, along with national reporting mechanisms are needed to help establish and confirm possible links between GBS and adenovirus vector-based COVID-19 vaccines. This link needs to be probed further in prospective studies and clinical trials.

Genetic screening of Filipinos suspected with familial Parkinson's disease: A pilot study

INTRODUCTION

Although genetic factors are known to play a role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD), true prevalence of familial PD is unknown. We conducted this pilot study to identify genes implicated in familial Parkinson's disease among Filipinos.

METHODS

Eighteen Filipino patients belonging to 11 families with personal and family history of PD underwent thorough evaluation by movement disorders specialists. Samples were analyzed in Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan. Sanger sequencing of polymerase chain reaction products was performed. Each sample was screened for 23 genes (SNCA, PARK 2, UCHL1, PINK 1, DJ-1, LRRK2, ATP13A2, GIGYF2, HTRA2, PLA266, FBX07, VPS35, EIF461, DNAJC13, CHCHD2, GCH1, MAPT, NR4A2, VPS13c, PSEN1, and GRN).

RESULTS

Out of 18 patients, six harbored Parkinson-related gene mutations. Five individuals from three families were positive for PINK1 c.10140T > C(p.L347P) mutation while one had heterozygous variant PRKN c.136G>T(p.A465) gene mutation. Three families displayed autosomal recessive pattern while one family with PINK1 mutation showed autosomal dominant mode of inheritance. Bradykinesia and tremor were predominant symptoms. Mean age at onset of symptoms was 40.4 years among those with PINK1 mutations.

CONCLUSION

In this study, we presented the clinical profiles and identified two genetic mutations among a small group of Filipino patients with familial PD. They were congruent with most studies showing these mutations as the most common causes of autosomal recessive early-onset PD. Preliminary data from this pilot study will guide planning for larger scale studies, such as collaborative projects including The Global Parkinson's Genetics Program (GP2).

Spectrum of Movement Disorders in two Movement Disorders Centers in the Philippines

OBJECTIVE

Presently, there are no epidemiologic data on the prevalence of movement disorders in the Philippines. We aim to describe the most common phenomenologies and movement disorders in two specialty centers in Metro Manila dedicated to movement disorders.

METHODS

We investigated the clinical spectrum and etiologies of movement disorders referred to our centers from January 2007-December 2019 using a standardized collection form.

RESULTS

A total of 1438 patients presenting with complaints relating to movement disorders were evaluated between 2007 to 2019. There were 770 (53.5%) men. The mean age was 57.1 ± 17.9 years. The most common movement disorders were parkinsonism (n=677, 47.1%), myoclonus (n=212, 14.7%) and tremor (n=208, 14.5%). The least common was restless legs syndrome (n=4, 0.3%). There were 78 (37.7% of total dystonia cases) X-linked dystonia-parkinsonism patients referred to our clinic. Majority of the botulinum toxin injections were for hemifacial spasms (n=206). A small number of patients (n=41) were also seen at the center for deep brain stimulation programming.

CONCLUSION

The most common movement disorders managed were parkinsonism, myoclonus and tremor. The most common diagnoses were Parkinson's disease, hemifacial spasm and essential tremor. This study highlights the spectrum of movement disorders encountered in two specialty clinics in two Philippine tertiary hospitals. Given these varied cases, there is also a need for more movement specialists and centers dedicated to movement disorders to manage these cases.