Patterns of focal gray matter atrophy are associated with bradykinesia and gait disturbances in older adults

Abstract

Objectives.Identify the neuroimaging correlates of parkinsonian signs in older adults living in the community. Methods.Magnetic resonance imaging was obtained in 307 adults (82.9 years, 55% women, 39% blacks) concurrently with the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating scale-motor part. Magnetic resonance imaging measures included volume of whole-brain white matter hyperintensities and of gray matter for primary sensorimotor, supplementary motor, medial temporal areas, cerebellum, prefronto-parietal cortex, and basal ganglia. Results. About 25% of the participants had bradykinesia, 26% had gait disturbances, and 12% had tremor. Compared with those without, adults with any one of these signs were o..