Tracking tasks and the study of predictive motor planning in Parkinson's disease

The authors have studied the performances of 16 subjects with PD (Parkinson's disease) and 16 matched control subjects on a range of computerized tracking tasks (preview and nonpreview forms of sine, random, and step inputs, plus a random-step combination) and related tests. Predictive motor planning was studied by way of three types of advance information which may be available on a target's path: memory (periodicity), form (speed/acceleration characteristics), and preview. PD subjects were impaired with respect to preview only. This deficit could, however, be a consequence of impaired visuospatial perception rather than being a true motor planning deficit. Hence, no evidence was found for impaired sensory-motor performance that could be unequivocally attributed to a deficit in predictive motor planning.<
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