Question:

My 89 year old father’s gait rapidly deteriorated from being able to walk slowly while unaided, to shuffling slowly with a wheeled walker and having difficulty in sitting and arising. A head CT was done, and I was told the results showed no hydrocephalus (which was suspected) and moderate atrophy.

Could the moderate atrophy cause this sudden gait change? Also, at age 89 what is the significance of moderate atrophy? He had his first known TIA less than a month ago. Thanks.

Answer:

There are many potential causes of gait changes. Your father’s physician would be able to tell you the most likely causes.

Moderate atrophy by itself is not the reason for the gait disturbance. Atrophy does occur with aging but without seeing the scan it is impossible to say if his atrophy is more than normal aging.

Evaluating for cognitive changes may also be important to sort out the causes of his condition.

For more information:

Go to the Alzheimer’s Disease health topic.