PubMed Health⌕ Search
Home/Archive/PubMed

PubMed · 2590013

Brain white-matter changes in the elderly prone to falling.

J C Masdeu·L Wolfson·G Lantos·J N Tobin·E Grober·R Whipple·P Amerman
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Falls and impaired gait are a major source of morbidity in the elderly. Why some elderly become prone to falling is often unclear. We analyzed the gait, equilibrium, and brain computed tomography results of 40 elderly subjects without evidence of neurologic disease known to be associated with falls. Twenty of these subjects were prone to falling and the remaining 20 were nonfalling controls. These two groups were comparable in terms of age and sex (mean age, 83.3 years [SE, 1.7 years]). The group of fallers had significantly worse gait and equilibrium scores and a greater degree of white-matter hypodensity on computed tomography. White-matter hypodensity correlated with impaired gait and equilibrium scores but not with impaired performance on cognitive testing. This study reveals the association of white-matter disease with gait and balance impairment leading to falls in the elderly.

Explore related subjects

Accidental FallsAccidentsAgedAged, 80 and overBrainCognitionFemaleGaitHumansMalePostural BalanceTomography, X-Ray ComputedComparative StudyJournal ArticleResearch Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

J C Masdeu, L Wolfson, G Lantos, J N Tobin, E Grober, R Whipple, P Amerman. 1989. Brain white-matter changes in the elderly prone to falling.. https://doi.org/10.1001/archneur.1989.00520480034016

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

PubMed2007

Escitalopram in the long-term treatment of major depressive disorder in elderly patients.

AIM: The primary aim was to investigate the long-term safety and tolerability of escitalopram (10 or 20 mg/day) treatment of elderly patients suffering from major depressive disorder. The secondary aim was to examine response to treatment, as measured by change in the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score from study entry to each visit, using observed cases. METHOD: This extension trial included 225 patients who had completed an 8-week, double blind, placebo-controlled lead-in study, which was performed in outpatients in primary care and in specialist clinics. The intent-to-treat population comprised 223 patients. RESULTS: The overall withdrawal rate was 24%. The most common reason for withdrawal was adverse events (9%). The 5 most common adverse events were accidental injury, rhinitis, weight increase, arthralgia and coughing, with an incidence ranging from 8 to 13%. No new types of adverse events were reported in this extension study compared to the 8-week lead-in study. The mean weight increased from 69.7 kg at study entry to 70.3 kg at endpoint. The percentage of patients in remission (MADRS total score < or = 12) increased from 48% at study entry to 72% by week 52. CONCLUSION: Escitalopram demonstrated a favourable tolerability profile during 52 weeks of open-label treatment of elderly patients, with further improvement in depressive symptoms.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed2007

MRI of rupture of the spring ligament complex with talo-cuboid impaction.

The spring ligament complex is essential for the stability of the longitudinal arch of the foot and includes the ligaments between the calcaneus and the talus at the superomedial to inferoplantar aspect of the foot. Tears of the spring ligament complex are most commonly degenerative in etiology and secondary to concomitant abnormality of the posterior tibial tendon. We report MRI findings in a 30-year-old man who presented with traumatic rupture of the spring ligament complex, seen following dislocation of the talonavicular joint. We also describe the previously unreported MRI features of talo-cuboid impaction secondary to disruption of the spring ligament complex.

Accidental Falls↗