1
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Reinshagen A. Grid cells: the missing link in understanding Parkinson's disease? Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1276714. [PMID: 38389787 PMCID: PMC10881698 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1276714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms underlying Parkinson's disease (PD) are complex and not fully understood, and the box-and-arrow model among other current models present significant challenges. This paper explores the potential role of the allocentric brain and especially its grid cells in several PD motor symptoms, including bradykinesia, kinesia paradoxa, freezing of gait, the bottleneck phenomenon, and their dependency on cueing. It is argued that central hubs, like the locus coeruleus and the pedunculopontine nucleus, often narrowly interpreted in the context of PD, play an equally important role in governing the allocentric brain as the basal ganglia. Consequently, the motor and secondary motor (e.g., spatially related) symptoms of PD linked with dopamine depletion may be more closely tied to erroneous computation by grid cells than to the basal ganglia alone. Because grid cells and their associated central hubs introduce both spatial and temporal information to the brain influencing velocity perception they may cause bradykinesia or hyperkinesia as well. In summary, PD motor symptoms may primarily be an allocentric disturbance resulting from virtual faulty computation by grid cells revealed by dopamine depletion in PD.
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2
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DeGutis J, Aul C, Barthelemy OJ, Davis BL, Alshuaib S, Marin A, Kinger SB, Ellis TD, Cronin-Golomb A. Side of motor symptom onset predicts sustained attention deficits and motor improvements after attention training in Parkinson's disease. Neuropsychologia 2023; 190:108698. [PMID: 37806442 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2023.108698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Parkinson's disease (PD) side of motor symptom onset has been associated with distinct cognitive deficits; individuals with left-side onset (LPD) show more visuospatial impairments, whereas those with right-side onset (RPD) show more verbal impairments. Non-spatial attention is a critical cognitive ability associated with motor functioning that is right hemisphere lateralized but has not been characterized with regard to PD side of onset. We compared individuals with LPD and RPD on non-spatial attention tasks and examined differential responses to a 4-week sustained attention training program. METHOD Participants included 9 with LPD and 12 with RPD, who performed both brief and extended go/no-go continuous performance tasks and an attentional blink task. Participants also engaged in an at-home sustained attention training program, Tonic and Phasic Alertness Training (TAPAT), 5 days/week for 4 weeks. We assessed cognitive and motor symptoms before and after training, and after a 4-week no-contact period. RESULTS At baseline, participants with LPD exhibited worse performance than those with RPD on the extended continuous performance task, indicating specific deficits in sustaining attention. Poorer attention was associated with worse clinical motor scores. Notably, side of onset had a significant effect on clinical motor changes after sustained attention training, with only LPD participants improving after training, and 4/9 showing clinically meaningful improvements. CONCLUSIONS Compared to RPD, participants with LPD had poorer sustained attention pre-training and were more likely to improve on clinical motor functioning after sustained attention training. These findings support mechanistic differences between LPD and RPD and suggest potential differential treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph DeGutis
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA; Boston Attention and Learning Laboratory (BALLAB), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Courtney Aul
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA; Boston Attention and Learning Laboratory (BALLAB), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Olivier J Barthelemy
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Breanna L Davis
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shaikhah Alshuaib
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anna Marin
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shraddha B Kinger
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Terry D Ellis
- Department of Physical Therapy, Boston University College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alice Cronin-Golomb
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
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3
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Steinbach MJ, Campbell RW, DeVore BB, Harrison DW. Laterality in Parkinson's disease: A neuropsychological review. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY. ADULT 2023; 30:126-140. [PMID: 33844619 DOI: 10.1080/23279095.2021.1907392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Laterality of motor symptom onset in Parkinson's disease is both well-known and under-appreciated. Treatment of disorders that have asymmetric pathological features, such as stroke and epilepsy, demonstrate the importance of incorporating hemispheric lateralization and specialization into therapy and care planning. These practices could theoretically extend to Parkinson's disease, providing increased diagnostic accuracy and improved treatment outcomes. Additionally, while motor symptoms have generally received the majority of attention, non-motor features (e.g., autonomic dysfunction) also decrease quality of life and are influenced by asymmetrical neurodegeneration. Due to the laterality of cognitive and behavioral processes in the two brain hemispheres, analysis of hemibody side of onset can potentially give insight into expected symptom profile of the patient and allow for increased predictive accuracy of disease progression and outcome, thus opening the door to personalized and improved therapy in treating Parkinson's disease patients. This review discusses motor and non-motor symptoms (namely autonomic, sensory, emotional, and cognitive dysfunction) of Parkinson's disease in respect to hemispheric lateralization from a theoretical perspective in hopes of providing a framework for future research and personalized treatment.
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4
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Gubinelli F, Sarauskyte L, Venuti C, Kulacz I, Cazzolla G, Negrini M, Anwer D, Vecchio I, Jakobs F, Manfredsson F, Davidsson M, Heuer A. Characterisation of functional deficits induced by AAV overexpression of alpha-synuclein in rats. CURRENT RESEARCH IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2022; 4:100065. [PMID: 36632447 PMCID: PMC9827042 DOI: 10.1016/j.crneur.2022.100065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In the last decades different preclinical animal models of Parkinson's disease (PD) have been generated, aiming to mimic the progressive neuronal loss of midbrain dopaminergic (DA) cells as well as motor and non-motor impairment. Among all the available models, AAV-based models of human alpha-synuclein (h-aSYN) overexpression are promising tools for investigation of disease progression and therapeutic interventions. Objectives The goal with this work was to characterise the impairment in motor and non-motor domains following nigrostriatal overexpression of h-aSYN and correlate the behavioural deficits with histological assessment of associated pathology. Methods Intranigral injection of an AAV9 expressing h-aSYN was compared with untreated animals, 6-OHDA and AAV9 expressing either no transgene or GFP. The animals were assessed on a series of simple and complex behavioural tasks probing motor and non-motor domains. Post-mortem neuropathology was analysed using immunohistochemical methods. Results Overexpression of h-aSYN led to progressive degeneration of DA neurons of the SN and axonal terminals in the striatum (STR). We observed extensive nigral and striatal pathology, resembling that of human PD brain, as well as the development of stable progressive deficit in simple motor tasks and in non-motor domains such as deficits in motivation and lateralised neglect. Conclusions In the present work we characterized a rat model of PD that closely resembles human PD pathology at the histological and behavioural level. The correlation of cell loss with behavioural performance enables the selection of rats which can be used in neuroprotective or neurorestorative therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- F. Gubinelli
- Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - L. Sarauskyte
- Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - C. Venuti
- Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - I. Kulacz
- Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - G. Cazzolla
- Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - M. Negrini
- Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - D. Anwer
- Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - I. Vecchio
- Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - F. Jakobs
- Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - F.P. Manfredsson
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - M. Davidsson
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA,Molecular Neuromodulation, Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - A. Heuer
- Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden,Corresponding author. Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Lund University, Sölvegatan 19, 22 184, Lund, Sweden.
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5
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Lizárraga KJ, Gnanamanogaran B, Al‐Ozzi TM, Cohn M, Tomlinson G, Boutet A, Elias GJ, Germann J, Soh D, Kalia SK, Hodaie M, Munhoz RP, Marras C, Hutchison WD, Lozano AM, Lang AE, Fasano A. Lateralized Subthalamic Stimulation for Axial Dysfunction in Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized Trial. Mov Disord 2022; 37:1079-1087. [DOI: 10.1002/mds.28953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Karlo J. Lizárraga
- The Edmond J. Safra Program in Parkinson's Disease and the Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorders Clinic Toronto Western Hospital, University Hospital Network and Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
- Motor Physiology and Neuromodulation Program, Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology and Center for Health and Technology University of Rochester Rochester New York USA
| | - Bhairavei Gnanamanogaran
- The Edmond J. Safra Program in Parkinson's Disease and the Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorders Clinic Toronto Western Hospital, University Hospital Network and Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
- University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Tameem M. Al‐Ozzi
- University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
- Krembil Research Institute Toronto Ontario Canada
- Departments of Surgery and Physiology University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Melanie Cohn
- Krembil Research Institute Toronto Ontario Canada
- Department of Psychology University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - George Tomlinson
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
- University Health Network Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Alexandre Boutet
- University Health Network Toronto Ontario Canada
- Joint Department of Medical Imaging University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery University Health Network and University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Gavin J.B. Elias
- University Health Network Toronto Ontario Canada
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery University Health Network and University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Jürgen Germann
- University Health Network Toronto Ontario Canada
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery University Health Network and University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Derrick Soh
- The Edmond J. Safra Program in Parkinson's Disease and the Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorders Clinic Toronto Western Hospital, University Hospital Network and Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
- Alfred Hospital Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Suneil K. Kalia
- Krembil Research Institute Toronto Ontario Canada
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery University Health Network and University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
- Center for Advancing Neurotechnological Innovation to Application (CRANIA) Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Mojgan Hodaie
- Krembil Research Institute Toronto Ontario Canada
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery University Health Network and University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Renato P. Munhoz
- The Edmond J. Safra Program in Parkinson's Disease and the Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorders Clinic Toronto Western Hospital, University Hospital Network and Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
- Krembil Research Institute Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Connie Marras
- The Edmond J. Safra Program in Parkinson's Disease and the Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorders Clinic Toronto Western Hospital, University Hospital Network and Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
- Krembil Research Institute Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - William D. Hutchison
- Krembil Research Institute Toronto Ontario Canada
- Departments of Surgery and Physiology University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery University Health Network and University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
- Center for Advancing Neurotechnological Innovation to Application (CRANIA) Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Andres M. Lozano
- Krembil Research Institute Toronto Ontario Canada
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery University Health Network and University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Anthony E. Lang
- The Edmond J. Safra Program in Parkinson's Disease and the Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorders Clinic Toronto Western Hospital, University Hospital Network and Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
- Krembil Research Institute Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Alfonso Fasano
- The Edmond J. Safra Program in Parkinson's Disease and the Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorders Clinic Toronto Western Hospital, University Hospital Network and Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
- Krembil Research Institute Toronto Ontario Canada
- Center for Advancing Neurotechnological Innovation to Application (CRANIA) Toronto Ontario Canada
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6
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Hanna-Pladdy B, Pahwa R, Lyons KE. Dopaminergic Basis of Spatial Deficits in Early Parkinson's Disease. Cereb Cortex Commun 2021; 2:tgab042. [PMID: 34738086 DOI: 10.1093/texcom/tgab042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Dopaminergic mechanisms regulating cognitive and motor control were evaluated comparing visuoperceptual and perceptuomotor functions in Parkinson's disease (PD). The performance of PD patients (n = 40) was contrasted with healthy controls (n = 42) across two separate visits (on and off dopaminergic medications) on computerized tasks of perception and aiming to a target at variable stimulus lengths (4, 8, 12 cm). Novel visuoperceptual tasks of length equivalence and width interval estimations without motor demands were compared with tasks estimating spatial deviation in movement termination. The findings support the presence of spatial deficits in early PD, more pronounced with increased discrimination difficulty, and with shorter stimulus lengths of 4 cm for both visuoperceptual and perceptumotor functions. Dopaminergic medication had an adverse impact on visuoperceptual accuracy in particular for length equivalence estimations, in contrast with dopaminergic modulation of perceptuomotor functions that reduced angular displacements toward the target. The differential outcomes for spatial accuracy in perception versus movement termination in PD are consistent with involvement of the direct pathway and models of progressive loss of dopamine through corticostriatal loops. Future research should develop validated and sensitive standardized tests of perception and explore dopaminergic selective deficits in PD to optimize medication titration for motor and cognitive symptoms of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Hanna-Pladdy
- Center for Advanced Imaging Research (CAIR), Department of Diagnostic Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - R Pahwa
- Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorder Center, Department of Neurology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - K E Lyons
- Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorder Center, Department of Neurology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
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7
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Learmonth G, Papadatou-Pastou M. A Meta-Analysis of Line Bisection and Landmark Task Performance in Older Adults. Neuropsychol Rev 2021; 32:438-457. [PMID: 33890188 PMCID: PMC9090707 DOI: 10.1007/s11065-021-09505-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Young adults exhibit a small asymmetry of visuospatial attention that favours the left side of space relative to the right (pseudoneglect). However, it remains unclear whether this leftward bias is maintained, eliminated or shifted rightward in older age. Here we present two meta-analyses that aimed to identify whether adults aged ≥50 years old display a group-level spatial attention bias, as indexed by the line bisection and the landmark tasks. A total of 69 datasets from 65 studies, involving 1654 participants, were analysed. In the meta-analysis of the line bisection task (n = 63), no bias was identified for studies where the mean age was ≥50, but there was a clear leftward bias in a subset where all individual participants were aged ≥50. There was no moderating effect of the participant’s age or sex, line length, line position, nor the presence of left or right cues. There was a small publication bias in favour of reporting rightward biases. Of note, biases were slightly more leftward in studies where participants had been recruited as part of a stand-alone older group, compared to studies where participants were recruited as controls for a clinical study. Similarly, no spatial bias was observed in the meta-analysis of the landmark task, although the number of studies included was small (n = 6). Overall, these results indicate that over 50s maintain a group-level leftward bias on the line bisection task, but more studies are needed to determine whether this bias can be modulated by stimulus- or state-dependent factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Learmonth
- Institute of Neuroscience & Psychology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland.
| | - Marietta Papadatou-Pastou
- School of Education, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.,Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
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8
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Weil RS. Visual Dysfunction and Parkinson's Disease. Mov Disord 2020; 35:1499-1501. [PMID: 33399229 DOI: 10.1002/mds.28212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rimona S Weil
- Dementia Research Centre, University College London, London, United Kingdom.,Movement Disorders Centre, University College London, London, United Kingdom.,Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, London, United Kingdom.,National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery, London, United Kingdom
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9
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Salazar RD, Moon KLM, Neargarder S, Cronin-Golomb A. Spatial judgment in Parkinson's disease: Contributions of attentional and executive dysfunction. Behav Neurosci 2020; 133:350-360. [PMID: 31294590 DOI: 10.1037/bne0000329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Spatial judgment is impaired in Parkinson's disease (PD), with previous research suggesting that disruptions in attention and executive function are likely contributors. If judgment of center places demands on frontal systems, performance on tests of attention/executive function may correlate with extent of bias in PD, and attentional disturbance may predict inconsistency in spatial judgment. The relation of spatial judgment to attention/executive function may differ for those with left-side versus right-side motor onset (LPD, RPD), reflecting effects of attentional lateralization. We assessed 42 RPD, 37 LPD, and 67 healthy control participants with a Landmark task (LM) in which a cursor moved horizontally from the right (right-LM) or left (left-LM). The task was to judge the center of the line. Participants also performed neuropsychological tests of attention and executive function. LM group differences were found on left-LM only, with both PD subgroups biased leftward of the control group (RPD p < .05; LPD p < .01; no RPD-LPD difference). For left-LM trials, extent of bias significantly correlated with performance on the cognitive tasks for PD but not for the control group. PD showed greater variability in perceived center than the control group; this variability correlated with performance on the cognitive tasks. The correlations between performance on the test of spatial judgment and the tests of attention/executive function suggest that frontal-based attentional dysfunction affects dynamic spatial judgment, both in extent of spatial bias and in consistency of response as indexed by intertrial variability. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert D Salazar
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University
| | - Kathryn L M Moon
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University
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10
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Palermo S, Salatino A, Romagnolo A, Zibetti M, Chillemi G, Lopiano L. Preliminary evidence from a Line-Bisection Task for visuospatial neglect in Parkinson's disease. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2018; 54:113-115. [PMID: 29628330 DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2018.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2017] [Revised: 03/25/2018] [Accepted: 04/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Palermo
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Adriana Salatino
- SAMBA (SpAtial, Motor and Bodily Awareness) Research Group, Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Via Po 14, Turin, Italy.
| | - Alberto Romagnolo
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Maurizio Zibetti
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Gaetana Chillemi
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "BoninoPulejo", S.S. 113, Via Palermo, C.da Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Leonardo Lopiano
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126 Turin, Italy
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11
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES There is increasing evidence of non-motor, sensory symptoms, mainly involving the spatial domain, in cervical dystonia (CD). These manifestations are likely driven by dysfunctional overactivity of the parietal cortex during the execution of a sensory task. Few studies also suggest the possibility that visuospatial attention might be specifically affected in patients with CD. Therefore, we asked whether non-motor manifestations in CD might also comprise impairment of higher level visuospatial processing. METHODS To this end, we investigated visuospatial attention in 23 CD patients and 12 matched healthy controls (for age, gender, education, and ocular dominance). The patients were identified according to the dystonia pattern type (laterocollis vs. torticollis). Overall, participants were right-handers, and the majority of them was right-eye dominant. Visuospatial attention was assessed using a line bisection task. Participants were asked to bisect horizontal lines, using their right or left hand. RESULTS Participants bisected more to the left of true center when using their left hand to perform the task than when using their right hand. However, overall, torticollis patients produced a significantly greater leftward deviation than controls. CONCLUSIONS These data are consistent with preliminary findings suggesting the presence of biased spatial attention in patients with idiopathic cervical dystonia. The presence of an attentional bias in patients with torticollis seem to indicate that alterations of attentional circuits might be implicated in the pathophysiology of this type of CD. (JINS, 2018, 24, 23-32).
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12
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Ocular and visual disorders in Parkinson's disease: Common but frequently overlooked. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2017; 40:1-10. [PMID: 28284903 DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2017.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2016] [Revised: 02/09/2017] [Accepted: 02/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) often compensate for their motor deficits by guiding their movements visually. A wide range of ocular and visual disorders threatens the patients' ability to benefit optimally from visual feedback. These disorders are common in patients with PD, yet they have received little attention in both research and clinical practice, leading to unnecessary - but possibly treatable - disability. Based on a literature search covering 50 years, we review the range of ocular and visual disorders in patients with PD, and classify these according to anatomical structures of the visual pathway. We discuss six common disorders in more detail: dry eyes; diplopia; glaucoma and glaucoma-like visual problems; impaired contrast and colour vision; visuospatial and visuoperceptual impairments; and visual hallucinations. In addition, we review the effects of PD-related pharmacological and surgical treatments on visual function, and we offer practical recommendations for clinical management. Greater awareness and early recognition of ocular and visual problems in PD might enable timely instalment of tailored treatments, leading to improved patient safety, greater independence, and better quality of life.
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13
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Weil RS, Schrag AE, Warren JD, Crutch SJ, Lees AJ, Morris HR. Visual dysfunction in Parkinson's disease. Brain 2016; 139:2827-2843. [PMID: 27412389 PMCID: PMC5091042 DOI: 10.1093/brain/aww175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 242] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2016] [Revised: 05/23/2016] [Accepted: 06/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with Parkinson's disease have a number of specific visual disturbances. These include changes in colour vision and contrast sensitivity and difficulties with complex visual tasks such as mental rotation and emotion recognition. We review changes in visual function at each stage of visual processing from retinal deficits, including contrast sensitivity and colour vision deficits to higher cortical processing impairments such as object and motion processing and neglect. We consider changes in visual function in patients with common Parkinson's disease-associated genetic mutations including GBA and LRRK2 . We discuss the association between visual deficits and clinical features of Parkinson's disease such as rapid eye movement sleep behavioural disorder and the postural instability and gait disorder phenotype. We review the link between abnormal visual function and visual hallucinations, considering current models for mechanisms of visual hallucinations. Finally, we discuss the role of visuo-perceptual testing as a biomarker of disease and predictor of dementia in Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rimona S. Weil
- 1 Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
- 2 National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London, UK
- 3 Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Royal Free Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Anette E. Schrag
- 1 Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
- 2 National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London, UK
| | - Jason D. Warren
- 2 National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London, UK
- 4 Dementia Research Centre, UCL Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Sebastian J. Crutch
- 4 Dementia Research Centre, UCL Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Andrew J. Lees
- 1 Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
- 2 National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London, UK
| | - Huw R. Morris
- 1 Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
- 2 National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London, UK
- 3 Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Royal Free Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
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14
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Fischer P, Ossandón JP, Keyser J, Gulberti A, Wilming N, Hamel W, Köppen J, Buhmann C, Westphal M, Gerloff C, Moll CKE, Engel AK, König P. STN-DBS Reduces Saccadic Hypometria but Not Visuospatial Bias in Parkinson's Disease Patients. Front Behav Neurosci 2016; 10:85. [PMID: 27199693 PMCID: PMC4853960 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2016.00085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2015] [Accepted: 04/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In contrast to its well-established role in alleviating skeleto-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease, little is known about the impact of deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) on oculomotor control and attention. Eye-tracking data of 17 patients with left-hemibody symptom onset was compared with 17 age-matched control subjects. Free-viewing of natural images was assessed without stimulation as baseline and during bilateral DBS. To examine the involvement of ventral STN territories in oculomotion and spatial attention, we employed unilateral stimulation via the left and right ventralmost contacts respectively. When DBS was off, patients showed shorter saccades and a rightward viewing bias compared with controls. Bilateral stimulation in therapeutic settings improved saccadic hypometria but not the visuospatial bias. At a group level, unilateral ventral stimulation yielded no consistent effects. However, the evaluation of electrode position within normalized MNI coordinate space revealed that the extent of early exploration bias correlated with the precise stimulation site within the left subthalamic area. These results suggest that oculomotor impairments "but not higher-level exploration patterns" are effectively ameliorable by DBS in therapeutic settings. Our findings highlight the relevance of the STN topography in selecting contacts for chronic stimulation especially upon appearance of visuospatial attention deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Fischer
- Institute of Cognitive Science, University of OsnabrückOsnabrück, Germany; Medical Research Council Brain Network Dynamics Unit, University of OxfordOxford, UK; Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of OxfordOxford, UK
| | - José P Ossandón
- Institute of Cognitive Science, University of Osnabrück Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Johannes Keyser
- Institute of Cognitive Science, University of Osnabrück Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Alessandro Gulberti
- Department of Neurophysiology and Pathophysiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf Hamburg, Germany
| | - Niklas Wilming
- Institute of Cognitive Science, University of OsnabrückOsnabrück, Germany; Department of Neurophysiology and Pathophysiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-EppendorfHamburg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Hamel
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf Hamburg, Germany
| | - Johannes Köppen
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf Hamburg, Germany
| | - Carsten Buhmann
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf Hamburg, Germany
| | - Manfred Westphal
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christian Gerloff
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christian K E Moll
- Department of Neurophysiology and Pathophysiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andreas K Engel
- Department of Neurophysiology and Pathophysiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf Hamburg, Germany
| | - Peter König
- Institute of Cognitive Science, University of OsnabrückOsnabrück, Germany; Department of Neurophysiology and Pathophysiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-EppendorfHamburg, Germany
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15
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Impaired neural processing of dynamic faces in left-onset Parkinson's disease. Neuropsychologia 2016; 82:123-133. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2016.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2015] [Revised: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 01/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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16
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DeGutis J, Grosso M, VanVleet T, Esterman M, Pistorino L, Cronin-Golomb A. Sustained attention training reduces spatial bias in Parkinson's disease: a pilot case series. Neurocase 2016; 22:179-86. [PMID: 26360648 PMCID: PMC4949393 DOI: 10.1080/13554794.2015.1088035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) commonly demonstrate lateralized spatial biases, which affect daily functioning. Those with PD with initial motor symptoms on the left body side (LPD) have reduced leftward attention, whereas PD with initial motor symptoms on the right side (RPD) may display reduced rightward attention. We investigated whether a sustained attention training program could help reduce these spatial biases. Four non-demented individuals with PD (2 LPD, 2 RPD) performed a visual search task before and after 1 month of computer training. Before training, all participants showed a significant spatial bias and after training, all participants' spatial bias was eliminated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph DeGutis
- a Boston Attention and Learning Laboratory , Boston Division VA Healthcare System , Boston , MA , USA.,b Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC) , Boston Division VA Healthcare System , Boston , MA , USA.,c Department of Medicine , Harvard Medical School , Boston , MA , USA
| | - Mallory Grosso
- a Boston Attention and Learning Laboratory , Boston Division VA Healthcare System , Boston , MA , USA.,b Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC) , Boston Division VA Healthcare System , Boston , MA , USA
| | - Thomas VanVleet
- d Department of Medical Research, VA Northern California Healthcare System , Martinez , CA , USA
| | - Michael Esterman
- a Boston Attention and Learning Laboratory , Boston Division VA Healthcare System , Boston , MA , USA.,b Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC) , Boston Division VA Healthcare System , Boston , MA , USA.,e Department of Psychiatry , Boston University School of Medicine , Boston , MA , USA
| | - Laura Pistorino
- f Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences , Boston University , Boston , MA , USA
| | - Alice Cronin-Golomb
- f Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences , Boston University , Boston , MA , USA
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17
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Ren X, Salazar R, Neargarder S, Roy S, Ellis TD, Saltzman E, Cronin-Golomb A. Veering in hemi-Parkinson's disease: Primacy of visual over motor contributions. Vision Res 2015; 115:119-27. [PMID: 26325394 PMCID: PMC4593312 DOI: 10.1016/j.visres.2015.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2015] [Revised: 08/08/2015] [Accepted: 08/16/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Veering while walking is often reported in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD), with potential mechanisms being vision-based (asymmetrical perception of the visual environment) or motoric (asymmetry in stride length between relatively affected and non-affected body side). We examined these competing hypotheses by assessing veering in 13 normal control participants (NC) and 20 non-demented individuals with PD: 9 with left-side onset of motor symptoms (LPD) and 11 with right-side onset (RPD). Participants walked in a corridor under three conditions: eyes-open, egocentric reference point (ECRP; walk toward a subjectively perceived center of a target at the end of the corridor), and vision-occluded. The visual hypothesis predicted that LPD participants would veer rightward, in line with their rightward visual-field bias, whereas those with RPD would veer leftward. The motor hypothesis predicted the opposite pattern of results, with veering toward the side with shorter stride length. Results supported the visual hypothesis. Under visual guidance, RPD participants significantly differed from NC, veering leftward despite a shorter right- than left-stride length, whereas LPD veered rightward (not significantly different from NC), despite shorter left- than right-stride length. LPD participants showed significantly reduced rightward veering and stride asymmetry when they walked in the presence of a visual landmark (ECRP) than in the eyes-open condition without a target. There were no group differences in veering in the vision-occluded condition. The findings suggest that interventions to correct walking abnormalities such as veering in PD should incorporate vision-based strategies rather than solely addressing motor asymmetries, and should be tailored to the distinctive navigational profiles of LPD and RPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolin Ren
- Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College, Boston University, USA
| | - Robert Salazar
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, USA
| | - Sandy Neargarder
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, USA; Department of Psychology, Bridgewater State University, USA
| | - Serge Roy
- Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College, Boston University, USA
| | - Terry D Ellis
- Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College, Boston University, USA
| | - Elliot Saltzman
- Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College, Boston University, USA
| | - Alice Cronin-Golomb
- Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College, Boston University, USA; Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, USA.
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18
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Díaz-Santos M, Cao B, Yazdanbakhsh A, Norton DJ, Neargarder S, Cronin-Golomb A. Perceptual, cognitive, and personality rigidity in Parkinson's disease. Neuropsychologia 2015; 69:183-93. [PMID: 25640973 PMCID: PMC4344854 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2015.01.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2014] [Revised: 01/27/2015] [Accepted: 01/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with motor and non-motor rigidity symptoms (e.g., cognitive and personality). The question is raised as to whether rigidity in PD also extends to perception, and if so, whether perceptual, cognitive, and personality rigidities are correlated. Bistable stimuli were presented to 28 non-demented individuals with PD and 26 normal control adults (NC). Necker cube perception and binocular rivalry were examined during passive viewing, and the Necker cube was additionally used for two volitional-control conditions: Hold one percept in front, and Switch between the two percepts. Relative to passive viewing, PD were significantly less able than NC to reduce dominance durations in the Switch condition, indicating perceptual rigidity. Tests of cognitive flexibility and a personality questionnaire were administered to explore the association with perceptual rigidity. Cognitive flexibility was not correlated with perceptual rigidity for either group. Personality (novelty seeking) correlated with dominance durations on Necker passive viewing for PD but not NC. The results indicate the presence in mild-moderate PD of perceptual rigidity and suggest shared neural substrates with novelty seeking, but functional divergence from those supporting cognitive flexibility. The possibility is raised that perceptual rigidity may be a harbinger of cognitive inflexibility later in the disease course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirella Díaz-Santos
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, 648 Beacon Street, 2nd floor, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
| | - Bo Cao
- Center for Computational Neuroscience and Neural Technology, Boston University, 677 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
| | - Arash Yazdanbakhsh
- Center for Computational Neuroscience and Neural Technology, Boston University, 677 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
| | - Daniel J Norton
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, 648 Beacon Street, 2nd floor, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
| | - Sandy Neargarder
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, 648 Beacon Street, 2nd floor, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Psychology, Hart Hall, Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, MA 02325, USA.
| | - Alice Cronin-Golomb
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, 648 Beacon Street, 2nd floor, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
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19
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Díaz-Santos M, Cao B, Mauro SA, Yazdanbakhsh A, Neargarder S, Cronin-Golomb A. Effect of visual cues on the resolution of perceptual ambiguity in Parkinson's disease and normal aging. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 2015; 21:146-55. [PMID: 25765890 PMCID: PMC5433847 DOI: 10.1017/s1355617715000065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) and normal aging have been associated with changes in visual perception, including reliance on external cues to guide behavior. This raises the question of the extent to which these groups use visual cues when disambiguating information. Twenty-seven individuals with PD, 23 normal control adults (NC), and 20 younger adults (YA) were presented a Necker cube in which one face was highlighted by thickening the lines defining the face. The hypothesis was that the visual cues would help PD and NC to exert better control over bistable perception. There were three conditions, including passive viewing and two volitional-control conditions (hold one percept in front; and switch: speed up the alternation between the two). In the Hold condition, the cue was either consistent or inconsistent with task instructions. Mean dominance durations (time spent on each percept) under passive viewing were comparable in PD and NC, and shorter in YA. PD and YA increased dominance durations in the Hold cue-consistent condition relative to NC, meaning that appropriate cues helped PD but not NC hold one perceptual interpretation. By contrast, in the Switch condition, NC and YA decreased dominance durations relative to PD, meaning that the use of cues helped NC but not PD in expediting the switch between percepts. Provision of low-level cues has effects on volitional control in PD that are different from in normal aging, and only under task-specific conditions does the use of such cues facilitate the resolution of perceptual ambiguity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirella Díaz-Santos
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Bo Cao
- Center for Computational Neuroscience and Neural Technology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Samantha A. Mauro
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Arash Yazdanbakhsh
- Center for Computational Neuroscience and Neural Technology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sandy Neargarder
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Psychology, Hart Hall, Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, Massachusetts
| | - Alice Cronin-Golomb
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
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20
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Norton DJ, Jaywant A, Gallart-Palau X, Cronin-Golomb A. Normal discrimination of spatial frequency and contrast across visual hemifields in left-onset Parkinson's disease: evidence against perceptual hemifield biases. Vision Res 2014; 107:94-100. [PMID: 25498374 DOI: 10.1016/j.visres.2014.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2014] [Revised: 11/26/2014] [Accepted: 12/02/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) with symptom onset on the left side of the body (LPD) show a mild type of left-sided visuospatial neglect, whereas those with right-onset (RPD) generally do not. The functional mechanisms underlying these observations are unknown. Two hypotheses are that the representation of left-space in LPD is either compressed or reduced in salience. We tested these hypotheses psychophysically. Participants were 31 non-demented adults with PD (15 LPD, 16 RPD) and 17 normal control adults (NC). The spatial compression hypothesis was tested by showing two sinusoidal gratings, side by side. One grating's spatial frequency (SF) was varied across trials, following a staircase procedure, whereas the comparison grating was held at a constant SF. While fixating on a central target, participants estimated the point at which they perceived the two gratings to be equal in SF. The reduced salience hypothesis was tested in a similar way, but by manipulating the contrast of the test grating rather than its SF. There were no significant differences between groups in the degree of bias across hemifields for SF discrimination or for contrast discrimination. Results did not support either the spatial compression hypothesis or the reduced salience hypothesis. Instead, they suggest that at this perceptual level, LPD do not have a systematically biased way of representing space in the left hemifield that differs from healthy individuals, nor do they perceive stimuli on the left as less salient than stimuli on the right. Neglect-like syndrome in LPD instead presumably arises from dysfunction of higher-order attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Norton
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, USA
| | - Abhishek Jaywant
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, USA
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21
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Lin CC, Wagenaar RC, Young D, Saltzman EL, Ren X, Neargarder S, Cronin-Golomb A. Effects of Parkinson's disease on optic flow perception for heading direction during navigation. Exp Brain Res 2014; 232:1343-55. [PMID: 24510351 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-014-3853-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2012] [Accepted: 01/22/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Visuoperceptual disorders have been identified in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) and may affect the perception of optic flow for heading direction during navigation. Studies in healthy subjects have confirmed that heading direction can be determined by equalizing the optic flow speed (OS) between visual fields. The present study investigated the effects of PD on the use of optic flow for heading direction, walking parameters, and interlimb coordination during navigation, examining the contributions of OS and spatial frequency (dot density). Twelve individuals with PD without dementia, 18 age-matched normal control adults (NC), and 23 young control adults (YC) walked through a virtual hallway at about 0.8 m/s. The hallway was created by random dots on side walls. Three levels of OS (0.8, 1.2, and 1.8 m/s) and dot density (1, 2, and 3 dots/m(2)) were presented on one wall while on the other wall, OS and dot density were fixed at 0.8 m/s and 3 dots/m(2), respectively. Three-dimensional kinematic data were collected, and lateral drift, walking speed, stride frequency and length, and frequency, and phase relations between arms and legs were calculated. A significant linear effect was observed on lateral drift to the wall with lower OS for YC and NC, but not for PD. Compared to YC and NC, PD veered more to the left under OS and dot density conditions. The results suggest that healthy adults perceive optic flow for heading direction. Heading direction in PD may be more affected by the asymmetry of dopamine levels between the hemispheres and by motor lateralization as indexed by handedness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Chieh Lin
- College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Sargent College, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA,
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Cronin-Golomb A. Emergence of nonmotor symptoms as the focus of research and treatment of Parkinson's disease: introduction to the special section on nonmotor dysfunctions in Parkinson's disease. Behav Neurosci 2013; 127:135-8. [PMID: 23565933 DOI: 10.1037/a0032142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is traditionally characterized by the cardinal motor symptoms of tremor, rigidity, slowness of movement, and impairments of posture, gait, and balance. A relatively new focus of research and treatment is the nonmotor symptoms of the disease, following from recent understanding of the neuropathological stages. Disruptions of arousal, mood, sleep, and autonomic function before the first motor signs of PD implicate the lower brainstem, which is affected before the substantia nigra and dopaminergic system. In later stages of the disease, the pathology extends to the cortex, accompanied by impairments in cognition and perception. The articles in this special section advance our knowledge of the brain bases of the nonmotor symptoms of PD, including disrupted visual perception, impaired cognition across a range of domains, and psychiatric and artistic manifestations. Subtypes under investigation include those described by side of disease onset (left or right body side), predominant cognitive profile, and gender. Taken together, the articles in this special section reflect the field's growing focus on the nonmotor symptoms of PD, their brain bases, and the corresponding potential for their treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Cronin-Golomb
- Department of Psychology, Boston University, 648 Beacon Street, 2nd floor, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
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