Quantification of Dopaminomimetic Effects on Parkinsonian Symptoms Using Automatic and Voluntary Postural Responses

Postural abnormalities associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD) have been elegantly illustrated by Purdon-Martin [11]. While tremor, rigidity, and brady-kinesia can be readily evaluated by the trained clinician, even semiquantitative assessments of the postural deficits associated with this disorder have proven more challenging. The appearance of postural instability is an important marker for progression in PD and symptoms associated with postural deficits are significant targets for pharmacological intervention. The development of appropriate quantitative measures to evaluate posture has thus become an important issue.