Structural magnetic resonance imaging in Parkinson disease with freezing of gait: A systematic review of literature

Abstract

Objective: This review aims to the existing structural neuroimaging literature in Parkinson disease presenting with freezing of gait. The summary of this article provides an opportunity for a better understanding of the structural findings of freezing of gait in Parkinson disease based on MRI. Methods: This systematic review of literature follows the procedures as described by the guideline of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Results: Initial searches yielded 545 documents. After exclusions, 11 articles were included into our study. Current findings of structural MRI on freezing of gait in Parkinson disease are associated with structural damage between sensorimotor-related cortical grey matter structures and thalamus, but not cerebellum and smaller systems, as well as extensive injuries on white matter connecting between those structures. Conclusion: Current findings of structural MRI on freezing of gait in Parkinson disease are associated with structural damage between sensorimotor-related cortical grey matter structures and thalamus, but not cerebellum and smaller systems, as well as extensive injuries on white matter connecting between those structures.