Investigating neural control of gait asymmetry using fNIRS

• Grant number: 25/04534-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: August 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physical Education
• Principal Investigator: Fabio Augusto Barbieri
• Grantee: Jônatas Augusto Cursiol
• Supervisor: Moran Gilat
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências (FC). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Bauru. Bauru , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Leuven, Leuven (KU Leuven), Belgium
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/07329-0 - Acute and chronic effect of motor and non-motor intervention on gait asymmetry in patients with Parkinson's Disease, BP.DR

Abstract

Gait asymmetry in Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with mobility decline, increased fall risk, and altered cortical activation. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) has emerged as a valuable tool for assessing cortical activity during gait, providing insights into the neural mechanisms underlying gait asymmetry in PD. However, its application in Brazil remains limited. This research internship aims to enhance the understanding of neural control in asymmetric gait in PD through advanced fNIRS data acquisition and analysis. The primary objectives include applying advanced fNIRS methods, comparing cortical activation in individuals with PD and healthy controls, and examining the relationship between cortical activity and gait asymmetry. Additionally, this study will utilize a cap with more leads, enabling whole-brain fNIRS data collection and processing, thereby deepening our understanding of neural mechanisms beyond the prefrontal cortex. The study will integrate fNIRS with inertial sensor-based gait analysis, following the AsymmGait-Parkinson protocol. Participants will complete walking trials under three conditions: unobstructed walking, obstacle crossing, and maximum-speed walking. fNIRS data will capture oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin changes across multiple cortical regions, while gait parameters will be recorded using Opal sensors. Hemodynamic responses will be analyzed according to state-of-the-art guidelines. This study will contribute to a deeper understanding of cortical adaptations during asymmetric gait in PD, with implications for rehabilitation strategies. Findings will be disseminated through publications, conferences, and training sessions at UNESP, fostering collaboration between KU Leuven and Brazilian institutions.