Cortical activity monitoring during bipedal posture maintenance under increased motor and cognitive demand: A comparative study between individuals with Parkinson's disease, older adults, and healthy young adults

• Grant number: 25/02885-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: March 01, 2025
• End date: February 28, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Maria Elisa Pimentel Piemonte
• Grantee: Gabriel Venas Santos
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/07699-0 - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Center for Neuromathematics - NeuroMat, AP.CEPID

Abstract

Postural instability is a symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD) that reduces independence and increases the risk of falls. Increased activity in the prefrontal cortex region appears to be associated with a strategy to minimize the decline in postural control efficiency associated with normal aging, which increases to compensate for abnormal deficiencies resulting from PD. This increased activity intensifies with increasing motor and cognitive demands while maintaining a bipedal posture. The present study aims to compare prefrontal cortex activity during bipedal posture under conditions of increased motor and cognitive demands in individuals with PD, healthy elderly individuals, and young adults. Methods: Individuals aged between 25 and 75 years, with and without a diagnosis of idiopathic PD, matched by education level, able to remain in the position and walk without orthoses or assistive devices will participate in the study. Participants with PD will be evaluated during the ON period of dopaminergic replacement medication. Brain activity will be recorded using Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) while maintaining a bipedal posture in three conditions: Single Task, Dual Task, and reduction of the base of support by the Tandem position. Each of these conditions will last 10 seconds and be repeated 10 times randomly. Body sway will be assessed during these conditions using a two-dimensional analysis using the free software CvMob. Global cognitive capacity will be assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, implicit learning will be assessed using the Goalkeeper Game, body balance control will be assessed using the Balance Evaluation Systems Test, and temporospatial gait parameters will be assessed using the GaitRite. For individuals with PD, the severity of motor symptoms will be assessed using the Movement Disorder Society-Sponsored Revision of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale.