Article

Differential diagnosis of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB),
Parkinson's disease with dementia (PDD), Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's
disease (AD) is challenging. Comparative motor profiles of these
neurodegenerative disorders may aid in earlier diagnosis but have not been
extensively studied. METHODS: Groups were rigorously matched by age, education,
and sex. DLB/PDD participants were matched by Mini-Mental State Examination Score
to individuals with AD and by Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale motor
scores to individuals with PD. Gait, balance, dual task walking and hand
dexterity measures were compared between a combined group (n=21) of individuals
with Lewy body dementia (LBD) consisting of those with DLB
(n=11) and PDD (n=10)
to individuals with PD (n=21) or AD (n=21). RESULTS: Individuals at the same
disease stage with LBD walked significantly slower with shorter stride lengths
(p<0.05), demonstrated poorer balance on both the Tinetti and Berg Balance Scale,
and poorer performance on dual-task and figure-of-eight walking compared to PD
and AD (p<0.05 for all) groups. Upper extremity coordination on the 9-hole peg
test differentiated LBD from both PD and AD and was the only motor test in which
individuals with AD performed worse than those with PD.
Tinetti balance subscores
were significantly lower in PDD compared to DLB participants (10.4+/-2.3 versus
12.8+/-2.3; p=0.027). CONCLUSIONS: Motor features distinguish individuals with
LBD from those with AD and PD. Measures of gait, balance and finger dexterity
provide an additional means of differentiating individuals with LBD from those
with AD and PD.
CI - Copyright (c) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS