Freezing of gait in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus.

Background: Reports of freezing of gait (FoG) in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) are few and results are variable. This study's objective was to evaluate the frequency of FoG in a large cohort of iNPH patients, identify FoG-associated factors, and assess FoG's responsiveness to shunt surgery.

Methods: Videotaped standardized gait protocols with iNPH patients pre- and post-shunt surgery (n = 139; median age 75 (71-79) years; 48 women) were evaluated for FoG episodes by two observers (Cohens kappa = 0.9, p < 0.001). FoG episodes were categorized. Mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and MRI white matter hyperintensities (WMH) assessment using the Fazekas scale were performed. CSF was analyzed for Beta-amyloid, Tau, and Phospho-tau. Patients with and without FoG were compared.

Results: Twenty-two patients (16%) displayed FoG at baseline, decreasing to seven (8%) after CSF shunt surgery (p = 0.039). The symptom was most frequently exhibited during turning (n = 16, 73%). Patients displaying FoG were older (77.5 vs. 74.6 years; p = 0.029), had a slower walking speed (0.59 vs. 0.89 m/s; p < 0.001), a lower Tinetti POMA score (6.8 vs. 10.8; p < 0.001), lower MMSE score (21.3 vs. 24.0; p = 0.031), and longer disease duration (4.2 vs. 2.3 years; p < 0.001) compared to patients not displaying FoG. WMH or CSF biomarkers did not differ between the groups.

Conclusions: FoG is occurring frequently in iNPH patients and may be considered a typical feature of iNPH. FoG in iNPH was associated with higher age, longer disease duration, worse cognitive function, and a more unstable gait. Shunt surgery seems to improve the symptom.