Falls

Frontal lobe gait disorders are characterized by a pattern of gait that is not explained by extrapyramidal or pyramidal dysfunction with dyspraxic features reflecting a “higher order” difficulty with the coding of the pattern of movement required for normal gait rather than the subcortical control of gait or the pyramidal final common pathway. Magnetic resonance imaging is the most useful single investigation that tends to reveal vascular or neurodegenerative etiologies, with the less common normal pressure hydrocephalus being the one treatable cause that should not be missed. The majority of higher order frontal lobe gait disorders are not treatable and patients require a wheelchair for safety.