Descrizione del progetto
Problemi di locomozione nel morbo di Parkinson
La disfunzione dei circuiti dei gangli della base nel morbo di Parkinson conduce a numerosi deficit motori, tra cui bradicinesia, tremore e disturbi dell’andatura caratterizzati da un’esitazione iniziale o dal blocco dell’andatura, associati a un maggiore rischio di caduta. Le registrazioni neuronali nel pallido, nel nucleo subtalamico (NST), nella parte reticolata della sostanza nera e nella regione locomotoria mesencefalica (MLR, mesencephalic locomotor region) dimostrano l’attività relativa ai movimenti e alla locomozione in ratti, gatti, primati ed esseri umani. L’obiettivo del progetto LINKERS, finanziato dall’UE, consiste nel caratterizzare l’associazione tra l’attività neuronale del nucleo subtalamico e della regione locomotoria mesencefalica e i parametri biomeccanici dell’innesco di locomozione e andatura. Lo studio rappresenterà un contributo importante a un aspetto scarsamente studiato, ma significativo, del controllo motorio nel morbo di Parkinson.
Obiettivo
Parkinson disease (PD) is the most common movement disorder. Dysfunction of basal ganglia circuits in PD leads to characteristic motor deficits including bradykinesia, with hypometria and reduced EMG activity, tremor, and frequently gait disorders with start hesitation or freezing of gait (FOG) associated with increased falling. On the one hand, there is a large literature on the postural adjustments during gait initiation and the biomechanics of ongoing gait in healthy and patient populations. On the other hand, neuronal recording in the pallidum, subthalamic nucleus (STN), substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNpr) and mesencephalic locomotor region (MLR) demonstrate activity related to movement and locomotion in rats, cats, primates and humans. DBS, particularly STN- and MLR-DBS, can effectively alleviate postural and locomotor deficits in PD, although the neural mechanisms and the precise role of each structure in locomotion is still matter of debate. The aim of this study is to characterize the association between STN and MLR neuronal activity and the biomechanical parameters of locomotion and gait initiation. I will characterize these associations in PD patients using neuro-muscular, neuro-kinematic and neuro-neuronal (STN-STN, MLR-MLR) coherence in different locomotor paradigms under different treatment conditions. This study will make an important contribution to a poorly studied but important aspect of motor control in PD. From a knowledge transfer point of view, it will provide important information to clinicians and researchers using DBS to ameliorate postural difficulties and FOG. From an interdisciplinary point of view, it will help neurologists to refine diagnosis as well as foster the core of knowledge and help targeting new avenues of treatment to rehabilitation professionals involved in the non-invasive treatments of PD.
Campo scientifico
Parole chiave
Programma(i)
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Meccanismo di finanziamento
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)Coordinatore
75013 Paris
Francia