Elucidating brain connectivity networks in freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K17524
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 59010:Rehabilitation science-related
• Research Institution: Osaka University (2022-2023); National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (2021)
• Principal Investigator: Taniguchi Seira 大阪大学, 大学院医学系研究科, 特別研究員(PD) (00894370)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: すくみ足 / パーキンソン病 / 脳機能 / Dynamic Causal Modeling / リハビリテーション

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The aim of this study was to identify effective connectivity underlying freezing of gait in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD), and to propose treatments based on a model. Applying spectral dynamic causal modeling, we have identified novel effective connectivity and an independent self-inhibitory connectivity underlying freezing of gait. Our findings imply that modulating the effective connectivity between the left DLPFC and MLR through neurostimulation or other interventions could be a target for reducing freezing of gait in PD.

Free Research Field

リハビリテーション

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は、データ駆動型アプローチを用いて、すくみ足の脳内メカニズムとなるeffective connectivityを特定した初めての研究となった。本研究の成果は、左背外側前頭前野の脳活動を調節することで、すくみ足に関与する両側の中脳歩行誘発野の機能を正常化できる可能性を示した。この結果は、すくみ足の脳内メカニズムの解明に寄与するだけでなく、治療のターゲットとなる脳領域を明らかにした点でも意義深い。