Journal of Movement Disorders

Non-Motor Fluctuations in Parkinson’s Disease: Underdiagnosed Yet Important: Iro Boura, Karolina Poplawska-Domaszewicz, Cleanthe Spanaki, Rosabel Chen, Daniele Urso, Riaan van Coller, Alexander Storch, Kallol Ray Chaudhuri; J Mov Disord. 2025;18(1):1-16. Published online December 20, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.14802/jmd.24227

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Abstract PDF: Non-motor fluctuations (NMFs) in Parkinson’s disease (PD) significantly affect patients’ well-being. Despite being identified over two decades ago, NMFs remain largely underrecognized, undertreated, and poorly understood. While they are often temporally associated with motor fluctuations (MFs) and can share common risk factors and pathophysiologic mechanisms, NMFs and MFs are currently considered distinct entities. The prevalence and severity of NMFs, often categorized into neuropsychiatric, sensory, and autonomic subtypes, vary significantly across studies due to the heterogeneous PD populations screened and the diverse evaluation tools applied. The consistent negative impact of NMFs on PD patients’ quality of life underscores the importance of further investigations via focused and controlled studies, validated assessment instruments and novel digital technologies. High-quality research is essential to illuminate the complex pathophysiology and clinical nuances of NMFs, ultimately enhancing clinicians’ diagnostic and treatment options in routine clinical practice.

A Practical Guide for Diagnostic Investigations and Special Considerations in Patients With Huntington’s Disease in Korea: Jangsup Moon, Eungseok Oh, Minkyeong Kim, Ryul Kim, Dallah Yoo, Chaewon Shin, Jee-Young Lee, Jong-Min Kim, Seong-Beom Koh, Manho Kim, Beomseok Jeon; J Mov Disord. 2025;18(1):17-30. Published online December 26, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.14802/jmd.24232

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Abstract PDF: This review provides a comprehensive framework for the diagnostic approach and management of Huntington’s disease (HD) tailored to the Korean population. Key topics include genetic counseling, predictive testing, and reproductive options like preimplantation genetic testing. Strategies for assessing disease progression in premanifest HD through laboratory investigations, biofluid, and imaging biomarkers are highlighted. Special considerations for juvenile and late-onset HD, along with associated comorbidities like diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and cardiovascular abnormalities, are discussed. The guide emphasizes personalized symptom management, including pharmacotherapy, physical therapy, and nutritional support, while exploring emerging disease-modifying treatments. A multidisciplinary care model is advocated to improve outcomes for HD patients and caregivers in Korea.

Brittle Response to Levodopa as a Marker of Parkinson’s Disease Phenotype Characterized by Heavy Motor and Non Motor Burden: Filomena Abate, Roberto Erro, Alfonso Fasano, Paolo Barone, Marina Picillo; J Mov Disord. 2025;18(1):31-34. Published online November 11, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.14802/jmd.24182

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Efficacy and Safety of Taltirelin Hydrate in Patients With Ataxia Due to Spinocerebellar Degeneration: Jin Whan Cho, Jee-Young Lee, Han-Joon Kim, Joong-Seok Kim, Kun-Woo Park, Seong-Min Choi, Chul Hyoung Lyoo, Seong-Beom Koh; J Mov Disord. 2025;18(1):35-44. Published online October 21, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.14802/jmd.24127

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Objective
We conducted this study to assess the efficacy and safety of taltirelin hydrate (TH) in patients with ataxia due to spinocerebellar degeneration (SCD).
Methods
Patients were randomly assigned to either the taltirelin group (5 mg orally, twice daily) or the control group. The primary endpoint was the change in the Korean version of the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (K-SARA) score at 24 weeks. The secondary endpoints included changes in the K-SARA score at 4 and 12 weeks as well as the Clinical Global Impression Scale, the five-level version of the EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire, the Tinetti balance test, and gait analysis at 4, 12, and 24 weeks.
Results
A total of 149 patients (hereditary:nonhereditary=86:63) were enrolled. There were significant differences in the change in the K-SARA score at 24 weeks from baseline between the taltirelin group and the control group (-0.51±2.79 versus 0.36±2.62, respectively; p=0.0321). For the K-SARA items, the taltirelin group had significantly lower “Stance” and “Speech disturbance” subscores than the control group (-0.04±0.89 versus 0.23±0.79 and -0.07±0.74 versus 0.18±0.67; p=0.0270 and 0.0130, respectively). However, there were no significant differences in changes in other secondary efficacy outcome measures at 24 weeks from baseline between the two treatment arms (p>0.05).
Conclusion
Clinicians might consider the use of TH in the treatment of patients with ataxia due to SCD.

Polysomnographic Evaluation of Sleep Disorders in Essential Tremor and Essential Tremor Plus: A Comparison With Healthy Controls: Ravi Prakash Singh, Mythirayee S, Doniparthi Venkata Seshagiri, Gulshan Kumar, Rohan Mohale, Pramod Kumar Pal, Bindu M Kutty, Jitender Saini, Nitish L Kamble, Vikram Holla, Ravi Yadav; J Mov Disord. 2025;18(1):45-54. Published online October 28, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.14802/jmd.24191

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Abstract PDF: Objective
To explore sleep patterns in individuals with essential tremor (ET) and essential tremor plus (ET-Plus) compared with healthy controls and assess differences between ET and ET-Plus, given the lack of established polysomnography (PSG) data on these groups and the potential for sleep disturbances to serve as clinical markers.
Methods
We conducted a prospective cross-sectional study at National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, from November 2021 to August 2023 on 45 patients (26 ET, 19 ET-Plus) and 45 controls. Tremor severity was assessed using The Essential Tremor Rating Assessment Scale (TETRAS) and Fahn‐Tolosa‐Marin Clinical Rating Scale (FTMRS). Sleep symptoms were assessed via the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Mayo Sleep Questionnaire, restless legs syndrome questionnaire, Berlin questionnaire, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale 7, and Patient Health Questionnaire-9. All patients and controls underwent overnight video PSG. Sleep scoring was manually performed by a trained sleep research technician and the first author following the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (2017) guidelines, with data analyzed using R studio.
Results
Compared with ET-Plus patients, ET patients had a younger onset age (46.8±11.1 years versus 30.8±16.7 years, respectively). Compared with ET patients, ET-Plus patients had higher TETRAS and FTMRS scores (p<0.005). Compared with controls, both ET patients and ET-Plus patients presented poorer sleep quality, excessive daytime sleepiness, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder, and restless legs syndrome symptoms. PSG findings supported these clinical observations, showing an elevated apnea‒hypopnea index, reduced total sleep time, prolonged REM latency, decreased sleep efficiency, increased N1 stage duration, and reduced N2/N3 durations and percentages in patients versus controls.
Conclusion
The study highlights significant sleep architecture abnormalities in both ET and ET-Plus patients compared with healthy controls, with no differences between the ET groups.

Gait Parameters in Healthy Older Adults in Korea: Han-Kyeol Kim, Sung-Woo Kim, Jin Yong Hong, Min Seok Baek; J Mov Disord. 2025;18(1):55-64. Published online November 25, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.14802/jmd.24181

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Objective
Gaits constitute the most fundamental and common form of human locomotion and are essential in daily activities. We aimed to investigate gait parameters in medically and cognitively healthy older adults to determine the independent effects of age, physical attributes, and cognition on these parameters.
Methods
This retrospective study enrolled healthy older adult participants aged 50 years or older with normal cognition and no neurological symptoms or medical/surgical history that could affect gait. Quantitative gait analysis was conducted via the GAITRite Electronic Walkway, which categorizes gait parameters into spatiotemporal, spatial, temporal, phase, and variability. Gait parameters were compared between sexes across different age groups. The independent effects of age, Mini-Mental State Examination score, and physical characteristics were analyzed via a multiple regression model.
Results
This study included 184 participants with an average age of 72.2 years. After adjusting for age, height, and footwear, only the base width and its variability differed between the sexes. Gait parameters varied significantly among different age groups, revealing multiple interparameter associations. Age was independently correlated with decreased velocity, step and stride lengths, single support time percentage and increased double support time, double support time percentage, and variability parameters, excluding the coefficient of variance of base width. Height was positively correlated with velocity, step and stride lengths, and base width, whereas leg length was negatively associated with cadence and positively associated with temporal parameters of gait.
Conclusion
Gait parameters in healthy older adults were not only associated with age and physical characteristics but also had interparameter correlations.

Eye Movement and Gait Variability Analysis in Chinese Patients With Huntington’s Disease: Shu-Xia Qian, Yu-Feng Bao, Xiao-Yan Li, Yi Dong, Zhi-Ying Wu; J Mov Disord. 2025;18(1):65-76. Published online December 9, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.14802/jmd.24151

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Objective
Huntington’s disease (HD) is characterized by motor, cognitive, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Oculomotor impairments and gait variability have been independently considered as potential markers in HD. However, an integrated analysis of eye movement and gait is lacking. We performed multiple examinations of eye movement and gait variability in HTT mutation carriers, analyzed the consistency between these parameters and clinical severity, and then examined the associations between oculomotor impairments and gait deficits.
Methods
We included 7 patients with pre-HD, 30 patients with HD and 30 age-matched controls. We collected demographic data and assessed the Unified Huntington’s Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) score. Examinations, including saccades, smooth pursuit tests, and optokinetic (OPK) tests, were performed to evaluate eye movement function. The parameters of gait include stride length, walking velocity, step deviation, step length, and gait phase.
Results
HD patients have significant impairments in the latency and velocity of saccades, the gain of smooth pursuit, and the gain and slow phase velocities of OPK tests. Only the speed of saccades significantly differed between pre-HD patients and controls. There are significant impairments in stride length, walking velocity, step length, and gait phase in HD patients. The parameters of eye movement and gait variability in HD patients were consistent with the UHDRS scores. There were significant correlations between eye movement and gait parameters.
Conclusion
Our results show that eye movement and gait are impaired in HD patients and that the speed of saccades is impaired early in pre-HD. Eye movement and gait abnormalities in HD patients are significantly correlated with clinical disease severity.

Video-Oculography for Enhancing the Diagnostic Accuracy of Early Oculomotor Dysfunction in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy: Harshad Chovatiya, Kanchana Pillai, Chakradhar Reddy, Amiya Thalakkattu, Ayana Avarachan, Manas Chacko, Asha Kishore; J Mov Disord. 2025;18(1):77-86. Published online December 9, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.14802/jmd.24171

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Objective
Oculomotor impairment is an important diagnostic feature of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and PSP subtypes. We assessed the role of video-oculography (VOG) in confirming clinically suspected slow saccades in PSP and differentiating PSP from Parkinson’s disease (PD). We also measured the correlation of both saccadic velocity and latency in PSP patients with scores on the PSP Rating Scale, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and frontal assessment battery. We assessed the frequency of apraxia of eyelid opening (ALO) and reflex blepharospasm in PSP and PD patients.
Methods
A total of 112 PSP patients with slow saccades but not gaze palsy, 50 PD patients, and 50 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. The Movement Disorders Society task force-PSP and PD criteria were used for the diagnoses. All the subjects underwent VOG.
Results
Horizontal and vertical saccadic velocities and latencies differentiated PSP patients from PD patients and HCs (p<0.001). Vertical saccadic velocity and latency accurately differentiated PSP with predominant parkinsonism (PSP-P) patients from PD patients (p<0.001 and 0.012, respectively). A couple of vertical and horizontal saccadic velocities differentiated PSP-Richardson’s syndrome (PSP-RS) patients from PSP-P patients (vertical velocity of left eye: p=0.024; horizontal velocity of right eye: p=0.030). In vertical gaze, the mean velocity cutoff showed good sensitivity and specificity in differentiating PSP patients from HCs and PD patients. Prolonged horizontal gaze latency was associated with more severe PSP and worse global cognitive and frontal dysfunction. ALO and reflex blepharospasm were observed only in PSP patients.
Conclusion
VOG is useful for confirming slow saccades in PSP-RS and PSP-P patients and for differentiating PSP-P patients from PD patients. Prolonged horizontal gaze latency was associated with more severe PSP and worse cognitive dysfunction. ALO and reflex blepharospasm were observed only in PSP patients.

Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters During Turning and Imbalance in Parkinson’s Disease: Video-Based Analysis From a Single Camera: HoYoung Jeon, Jung Hwan Shin, Ri Yu, Min Kyung Kang, Seungmin Lee, Seoyeon Kim, Bora Jin, Kyung Ah Woo, Han-Joon Kim, Beomseok Jeon; J Mov Disord. 2025;18(1):87-92. Published online December 23, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.14802/jmd.24210

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Objective
This study aims to objectively evaluate turning gait parameters in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients using 2D-RGB video-based analysis and explore their relationships with imbalance.
Methods
We prospectively enrolled PD patients for clinical assessment, balance analysis and gait with 180º turning. Spatiotemporal gait parameters during turning were derived using video-based analysis and correlated with modified Hoehn and Yahr (mHY) stages and center of pressure (COP) oscillations.
Results
A total of 64 PD patients were enrolled. The PD patients with higher mHY stages (≥2.5) had significantly longer turning times, greater numbers of steps, wider step bases and less variability in step length during turns. COP oscillations were positively correlated with the mean turning time on both the anterior-posterior and right-left axes.
Conclusion
Spatiotemporal gait parameter during turning, derived from video-based gait analysis, may represent apromising biomarker for monitoring postural instability in PD patients.

Autosomal Recessive Spastic Ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay Masquerading as Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease: A Case Study and Literature Review of Korean Patients: Yongmoo Kim, Seungbok Lee, Jae So Cho, Jihoon G Yoon, Sheehyun Kim, Man Jin Kim, Jong Hee Chae, Manho Kim, Jangsup Moon; J Mov Disord. 2025;18(1):93-95. Published online July 9, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.14802/jmd.24054

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Myoclonic Epilepsy of Unverricht and Lundborg in a Filipino Woman: Kruzette Khloe L. Solijon, Sheina B. Magtuba, Noel Belonguel, Gerard Saranza; J Mov Disord. 2025;18(1):96-98. Published online October 7, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.14802/jmd.24172