Grant: Master's Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships

Walking impairments in Parkinson's disease (PD) is believed to be the symptom that most affects independence and quality of life. Specifically, shuffling (shortened and slowed stepped gait), loss of balance and an increased risk of falling can be even more problematic when stepping over obstacles. It is not known however what exactly leads to these walking deficits. There has been speculation that perceptual deficits may exist as an underlying contributor to tripping, falling and "freezing of gait"(FOG). FOG is described by individuals with PD, as a feeling that their feet become stuck to the floor and inability to initiate forward movement, although they have not forgotten how to walk. Perceptual deficits in PD could exist in two forms: 1.) The individual with PD may not be able to accurately judge characteristics of the obstacle within the environment such as distance, height, etc. or 2.)The individual with PD may not be able to perceive their own movement progression while walking through the environment causing an incorrect perception of themselves relative to the obstacle. The objective of this study is to determine how perception of obstacle distance and/ or self motion may contribute to movement impairments in PD, and whether dopamine medication has an affect on perceptual judgments. It is hypothesized that perceptual abilities will be further impaired when the individual is taken off of medication, and likewise improved when the individual is on dopaminergic medication. The findings of this study will help us understand how brain dysfunction contributes to control of walking. This information can also be translated into development of rehabilitation programs that our centre is developing for all Canadians that will set out to provide individuals with PD better strategies to correctly perceive obstacles. This in turn will reduce the amount of trips, falls, and FOG episodes that will collectively improve their mobility, independence and quality of life.