Distinct and Shared Signatures of Gait Dysfunction in Neurodegenerative Disease: Implications for Diagnosis and Intervention
Hyunjoon Lee
Asia Pacific International School, Seoul, South Korea
Publication date: November 20, 2025
Asia Pacific International School, Seoul, South Korea
Publication date: November 20, 2025
DOI: http://doi.org/10.34614/JIYRC2025II30
ABSTRACT
Movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), Huntington’s disease (HD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are major causes of gait impairment, fall risk, and loss of independence. Although each disorder arises from distinct etiologies, all disrupt locomotor timing and stability. Using the open-access Gait in Neurodegenerative Disease Database, we analyzed stride-to-stride timing in 64 participants across PD (n = 15), HD (n = 20), ALS (n = 13), and healthy controls (n = 16). Linear mixed-effects models revealed that ALS participants exhibited significantly prolonged double support and swing intervals, with the highest variability across cycles. PD participants showed progressive reductions in swing time, while HD participants demonstrated increasing double support over repeated walking. Controls displayed stable, low-variability patterns. These findings highlight both shared and disorder-specific gait signatures, providing insight into disease mechanisms and potential targets for tailored interventions. These results underscore the potential of gait dynamics as quantitative markers for differentiating neurodegenerative movement disorders.
Movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), Huntington’s disease (HD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are major causes of gait impairment, fall risk, and loss of independence. Although each disorder arises from distinct etiologies, all disrupt locomotor timing and stability. Using the open-access Gait in Neurodegenerative Disease Database, we analyzed stride-to-stride timing in 64 participants across PD (n = 15), HD (n = 20), ALS (n = 13), and healthy controls (n = 16). Linear mixed-effects models revealed that ALS participants exhibited significantly prolonged double support and swing intervals, with the highest variability across cycles. PD participants showed progressive reductions in swing time, while HD participants demonstrated increasing double support over repeated walking. Controls displayed stable, low-variability patterns. These findings highlight both shared and disorder-specific gait signatures, providing insight into disease mechanisms and potential targets for tailored interventions. These results underscore the potential of gait dynamics as quantitative markers for differentiating neurodegenerative movement disorders.
