Final answer:
Gait abnormalities are associated with ventricular enlargement, white matter hyperintensities, and subcortical and basal ganglia infarcts observed on brain MRI, all of which affect brain structures involved in movement control.
Step-by-step explanation:
Abnormalities of gait in individuals can be associated with various changes observed on brain MRI. These changes include ventricular enlargement, which may be indicative of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. This condition leads to a decrease in brain volume, particularly within the ventricles and hippocampus, which can impact motor functions and gait.
White matter hyperintensities are another MRI finding, often seen as bright signals on T2-weighted images. They are associated with a variety of conditions, including cerebral small vessel disease, and have been linked to impairments in walking and balance.
Subcortical and basal ganglia infarcts are areas of brain tissue that have experienced a loss of blood supply and consequently suffered damage or death. Since the basal ganglia play key roles in movement control and posture, damage to these areas, as observed in Parkinson's disease, can lead to motor impairments such as difficulties walking, often characterized by a shuffling gait.
In conclusion, gait abnormalities are associated with all the above-mentioned changes on brain MRI, which includes ventricular enlargement, white matter hyperintensities, and subcortical and basal ganglia infarcts.