Clinical and MRI features of gait and balance disorders in neurodegenerative diseases

Gait and balance disorders are common signs in several neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease, atypical parkinsonism, idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus, cerebrovascular disease, dementing disorders and multiple sclerosis. According to each condition, patients present with different gait and balance alterations depending on the structural and functional brain changes through the disease course. In this review, we will summarize the main clinical characteristics of gait and balance disorders in the major neurodegenerative conditions, providing an overview of the significant structural and functional MRI brain alterations underlying these deficits. We also will discuss the role of neurorehabilitation strategies in promoting brain plasticity and gait/balance improvements in these patients.