Mapping the Brain's Role in Walking and Thinking in Older Adults
Author Information
Author(s): Ali Pauline, Dinomais Mickaël, Labriffe Matthieu, Pieruccini-Faria Frederico, Montero-Odasso Manuel, Bartha Robert, Annweiler Cédric
Primary Institution: Université d'Angers
Hypothesis
This study aims to investigate the neural substrate of the high dual-task gait cost in older adults across the spectrum of cognitive decline.
Conclusion
The study found that older adults with a high dual-task cost while walking had smaller gray matter volume in specific brain regions, particularly in those with dementia.
Supporting Evidence
- Individuals with a high dual-task cost exhibited smaller gray matter volume in the bilateral temporal lobe.
- The dementia group showed additional gray matter loss in the left precentral gyrus associated with high dual-task cost.
- High dual-task cost is linked to cognitive decline and may serve as a clinical marker for dementia risk.
Takeaway
Older people who have trouble walking and thinking at the same time may have smaller brain areas that help with these tasks.
Methodology
The study analyzed brain images and gait performance of 336 older adults, categorizing them by cognitive status and measuring their dual-task gait cost.
Potential Biases
Participants in the control group may have had subjective cognitive complaints, potentially affecting results.
Limitations
The cross-sectional design limits causal conclusions, and the sample included participants from a memory clinic, which may not represent the general population.
Participant Demographics
Participants included 122 cognitively healthy individuals, 168 with mild cognitive impairment, and 46 with dementia, with an average age of 71 years for healthy controls and 80 years for those with dementia.
Statistical Information
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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