Slowing gait speed precedes cognitive decline by several years

Tobias Skillbäck; Kaj Blennow; Henrik Zetterberg; Johan Skoog; Lina Rydén; Hanna Wetterberg; Xinxin Guo; Simona Sacuiu; Michelle M Mielke; Anna Zettergren; Ingmar Skoog; Silke Kern

doi:10.1002/alz.12537

Slowing gait speed precedes cognitive decline by several years

Alzheimers Dement. 2022 Sep;18(9):1667-1676. doi: 10.1002/alz.12537. Epub 2022 Feb 9.

Authors

Tobias Skillbäck^{1

2}, Kaj Blennow^{1

3}, Henrik Zetterberg^{1

3

4

5}, Johan Skoog^{2

6}, Lina Rydén^{2

6}, Hanna Wetterberg², Xinxin Guo², Simona Sacuiu^{2

6}, Michelle M Mielke⁷, Anna Zettergren^{1

2}, Ingmar Skoog^{2

6}, Silke Kern^{2

6}

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden.
² Department of Neuropsychiatric epidemiology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, Centre for Ageing and Health (AgeCap) at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
³ Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden.
⁴ Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK.
⁵ Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK.
⁶ Department of Psychiatry Cognition and Old Age Psychiatry, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Region Västra Götaland, Mölndal, Sweden.
⁷ Department of Health Sciences Research, Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.

Abstract

Introduction: In this longitudinal study, we aimed to examine if slowing gait speed preceded cognitive decline and correlated with brain amyloidosis.

Methods: The sample (n = 287) was derived from the Gothenburg H70 Birth Cohort Studies, with follow-ups between 2000 and 2015. Gait speed was measured by indoor walk, and cognition using the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) score. All participants had CDR = 0 at baseline. Some participants had data on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) amyloid beta (Aβ)_1-42 concentrations at the 2009 examination.

Results: Gait speed for participants who worsened in CDR score during follow-up was slower at most examinations. Baseline gait speed could significantly predict CDR change from baseline to follow-up. Subjects with pathological CSF Aβ_1- ₄₂ concentrations at the 2009 visit had lost more gait speed compared to previous examinations.

Discussion: Our results indicate that gait speed decline precedes cognitive decline, is linked to Alzheimer's pathology, and might be used for early detection of increased risk for dementia development.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Aβ42; CSF; cognitive decline; gait; motor function.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Alzheimer Disease* / pathology
Amyloid beta-Peptides / cerebrospinal fluid
Biomarkers / cerebrospinal fluid
Cognitive Dysfunction* / diagnosis
Humans
Longitudinal Studies
Peptide Fragments / cerebrospinal fluid
Walking Speed

Substances

Amyloid beta-Peptides
Biomarkers
Peptide Fragments