analisi del cammino in pazienti con demenza lieve e moderata durante l'esecuzione di compiti cognitivi

This is an introduction and bibliographical work to a future research project from which it takes its name. The study will investigate gait performances of mild Alzheimer's dementia, and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) patients and healthy age-matched control subjects. Gait alterations will be investigated by measuring, through a computerized system, participants' space and time parameters. Gait and cognitive performances will be evaluated during "single task" and "dual task" conditions in order to explore the possibility of a more evident decline in the pathological groups. Here, we provide a review of the literature on Alzheimer's disease, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and normal aging with particular focus on these groups' gait characteristics, and take into account important aspects of these disorders prevention and rehabilitation such as the risk of falls and the effects of training on elderly patients with cognitive decline.