Changes in executive function and gait in people with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer disease

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Changes in executive function and motor aspects can compromise the prognosis of older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and favor the evolution to dementia. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in executive function and gait and to determine the association between changes in these variables. Methods: A 32-month longitudinal study was conducted with 40 volunteers: 19 with preserved cognition (PrC), 15 with MCI and 6 with Alzheimer disease (AD). Executive function and gait speed were assessed using the Frontal Assessment Battery, the Clock-Drawing test and the 10-meter walk test. For data analysis, the Pearson product-moment correlation, two-way repeated-measures ANOVA, and chi-square were conducted. Results: After 32 months, an improvement in the executive function was found in all groups (p=0.003). At baseline, gait speed was slower in individuals with MCI and AD compared to those with PrC (p=0.044), that was maintained after the follow-up (p=0.001). There was significant increase in number of steps in all groups (p=0.001). No significant association was found between changes in gait speed and executive function. Conclusions: It should be taken into account that gait deteriorates prior to executive function to plan interventions and health strategies for this population.

Visual search for real‐world scenes in patients with Alzheimer's disease and amnestic mild cognitive impairment

“…Attention was measured by Digit Span (Wechsler, 1987) and Trail Making Test (Cangöz et al., 2007; Reitan, 1958). Stroop Test (Karakaş, 2006; Stroop, 1935), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (Berg, 1948; Heaton, 1981; Karakaş, 2006), Clock Drawing Test (Cesar et al., 2021; Dion et al., 2022; Rouleau et al., 1992), and phonemic and semantic fluency tests (Benton et al., 1978; Heaton et al., 1993; Martin et al., 1994; St‐Hilaire et al., 2016; Tumac, 1997) were used for executive function. Visuospatial functions were evaluated using the Judgement of Line Orientation test (Benton et al., 1978; Karakaş, 2006; Tranel et al., 2009) and the Benton Face Recognition Test (Benton & Allen, 1968; Keskinkılıç, 2008; Tranel et al., 2009).…”

Does motor functioning mediate the relationship between executive functions and psychological well-being of atypically developing older adults?

“…In particular, aerobic and resistance exercises are considered crucial for preserving cognitive function in late adulthood (Lustig et al, 2009). Furthermore, a recent longitudinal study on community-dwellers over 65 years old with and without cognitive decline (i.e., MCI and dementia) found that physical activity and physical therapy interventions concurred to improve EF efficiency (Cezar et al, 2021). This is consistent with a review conducted by Barnes and Yaffe (2011), according to which 10% reduction in the prevalence of sedentary life in late adulthood is potentially able to reduce the occurrence of Alzheimer's disease cases by 380.000 worldwide.…”

A detection model of cognitive impairment via the integrated gait and eye movement analysis from a large Chinese community cohort

“…However, whether the integration of eye movement and gait assessment in screening for CI is feasible in the context of a large community cohort is unclear. The small sample sizes and outdated technologies used in previous studies limit the reliability and generalizability of their results—with limited access to patients, most studies only included < 100 participants; 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 additionally, the outdated infrared optical positioning and wearable sensor‐based systems, such as Locometrix, 31 are often difficult to use. With improvements in technology and measurement techniques, such as those in the virtual reality (VR) headset system used in this study, many experimental biases can be minimized.…”