Cross-sectional associations between cortical thickness and independent gait domains in older adults

Yingzhe Wang; Yanfeng Jiang; Heyang Lu; Weizhong Tian; Peixi Li; Kelin Xu; Min Fan; Xiaolan Zhao; Qiang Dong; Li Jin; Jinhua Chen; Mei Cui; Xingdong Chen

doi:10.1111/jgs.17840

Cross-sectional associations between cortical thickness and independent gait domains in older adults

J Am Geriatr Soc. 2022 Sep;70(9):2610-2620. doi: 10.1111/jgs.17840. Epub 2022 May 5.

Authors

Yingzhe Wang^{1

2}, Yanfeng Jiang^{1

2}, Heyang Lu³, Weizhong Tian^{4

5}, Peixi Li³, Kelin Xu^{2

6}, Min Fan⁷, Xiaolan Zhao⁸, Qiang Dong³, Li Jin^{1

2}, Jinhua Chen^{4

5}, Mei Cui³, Xingdong Chen^{1

2

3

9}

Affiliations

¹ State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Human Phenome Institute, Zhangjiang Fudan International Innovation Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
² Fudan University Taizhou Institute of Health Sciences, Taizhou, China.
³ Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
⁴ Department of Medical Imaging, Hospital Affiliated 5 to Nantong University (Taizhou People's Hospital), Taizhou, China.
⁵ Department of Medical Imaging, Taizhou People's Hospital, Taizhou, China.
⁶ Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, and the Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
⁷ Taixing Disease Control and Prevention Center, Taizhou, China.
⁸ Taizhou Disease Control and Prevention Center, Taizhou, China.
⁹ Yiwu Research Institute of Fudan University, Yiwu, China.

PMID: 35510857
DOI: 10.1111/jgs.17840

Abstract

Background: Although the prevalence of gait disturbance is increasing with population aging, our understanding of its underlying neural basis is still limited. The precise brain regions linked to specific gait domains have not been well defined. In this study, we aim to investigate the associations of cortical thickness and different gait domains, and to explore whether these associations could be explained by cerebral small vessel disease.

Methods: A total of 707 community-dwelling participants from the Taizhou Imaging Study (mean age: 60.2 ± 3.0 years, 57.4% female) were involved. All participants underwent brain MRI and gait assessment. We obtained quantitative gait parameters using wearable devices and then summarized them into three independent gait domains through factor analysis. Cortical thickness was analyzed and visualized using FreeSurfer and Surfstat.

Results: Three independent domains (pace, rhythm, and variability) were summarized from 12 gait parameters. Among gait domains, poorer pace was associated with the thinner cortical thickness of multiple regions, which included areas related with motor function (e.g., the primary motor cortex, premotor cortex, and supplementary motor area), sensory function (e.g., the postcentral gyrus and paracentral lobule), visuospatial attention (e.g., the lateral occipital cortex and lingual gyrus), and identification and cognition (e.g., the fusiform gyrus and entorhinal cortex). Such a relationship was only slightly attenuated after adjustment for cerebrovascular risk factors and cerebral small vessel disease. No statistically significant association was found between cortical thickness and the rhythm or variability domains.

Conclusions: Poorer pace is independently associated with thinner cortical thickness in areas important for motor, sensory, cognitive function, and visuospatial attention. Our study emphasizes the importance of cortical thickness in gait control and adds value in investigating neural mechanisms of gait.

Keywords: cohort; cortical morphology; gait; neuroimaging.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Aged
Cerebral Cortex / diagnostic imaging
Cerebral Small Vessel Diseases*
Cognition
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Gait*
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding