Postural disorders in Parkinson's disease

Neurophysiol Clin. 2008 Dec;38(6):459-65. doi: 10.1016/j.neucli.2008.07.006. Epub 2008 Aug 21.

Abstract

Posture is often affected in Parkinson's disease. Postural abnormalities belong to the motor axial involvement. Generally, postural dysfunction induces clinical impairment at the latest stages of the disease, except in late-onset idiopathic Parkinson's disease and in atypical parkinsonian syndromes. Posture may be affected in its orientation component (stooped posture, camptocormia, Pisa syndrome) or in its balance component (loss of postural reflexes). Overall, postural impairment is poorly improved by levodopa, which implies that it is unlikely due to the nigrostriatal dopaminergic denervation. Several methods of investigation have been proposed but are generally not available in clinical practice. Medical treatment and deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus or globus pallidus pars interna are less efficient on axial than on distal motor signs. The pedonculopontine nucleus seems promising as a new target for DBS in combination with the subthalamic nucleus. Physical therapy is, in most cases, the best way to improve postural dysfunction.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Humans
  • Parkinson Disease / complications*
  • Parkinson Disease / diagnosis
  • Postural Balance*
  • Posture*
  • Sensation Disorders / diagnosis
  • Sensation Disorders / etiology*
  • Sensation Disorders / physiopathology