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Updated: Apr 21, 2026
Motor Dual-Tasks for Gait Analysis and Evaluation in Post-Stroke Patients
Published on: March 11, 2021
Motoric cognitive risk syndrome: Multicenter incidence study
Joe Verghese1, Emmeline Ayers2, Nir Barzilai2
1From the Departments of Neurology (J.V., E.A., R.H., M.J.K., R.B.L.), Medicine (J.V., N.B.), and Epidemiology and Population Health (R.B.L., C.W.), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY; Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (D.A.B., A.S.B.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL; and Ferkauf School of Psychology (R.H.), Yeshiva University, Bronx, NY. joe.verghese@einstein.yu.edu.
Objective:
To report incidence and risk factors for motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR), a newly described predementia syndrome characterized by slow gait and cognitive complaints.
Methods:
We examined incidence rates of MCR in 3,128 adults aged 60 years and older, MCR- and dementia-free at baseline, participating in 4 US-based cohort studies. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association of modifiable risk factors with risk of MCR were computed using Cox models.
Results:
Over a median follow-up time of 3.2 years, 823 of the 3,128 participants met MCR criteria. The overall age- and sex-adjusted incidence of MCR was 65.2/1,000 person-years (95% CI: 53.3-77.1), and ranged from 50.8/1,000 person-years to 79.6/1,000 person-years in the individual cohorts. MCR incidence was higher with older age but there were no sex differences. In the pooled sample adjusted for age, sex, education, and cohort source, strokes (HR 1.42, 95% CI: 1.14-1.77), Parkinson disease (HR 2.52, 95% CI: 1.68-3.76), depressive symptoms (HR 1.65, 95% CI: 1.28-2.13), sedentariness (HR 1.76, 95% CI: 1.44-2.17), and obesity (HR 1.39, 95% CI: 1.17-1.65) predicted risk of incident MCR.
Conclusions:
The incidence of MCR is high in older adults. Identification of modifiable risk factors for MCR will improve identification of high-risk individuals and help develop interventions to prevent cognitive decline in aging.
Insights
Motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR) affects older adults at a high incidence rate. Modifiable factors like stroke, Parkinson disease, depression, inactivity, and obesity increase MCR risk, aiding early identification and prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR) is a newly identified predementia syndrome.
- It is characterized by the co-occurrence of slow gait and cognitive complaints.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence rates of MCR in older adults.
- To identify modifiable risk factors associated with the development of MCR.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 3,128 adults aged 60+ from four US-based cohort studies.
- Cox models were used to calculate hazard ratios for modifiable risk factors predicting MCR incidence.
Main Results:
- The overall incidence of MCR was 65.2 per 1,000 person-years.
- Risk factors for MCR included older age, stroke, Parkinson disease, depressive symptoms, sedentariness, and obesity.
- Incidence was higher in older age groups, with no significant sex differences.
Conclusions:
- MCR has a high incidence in the elderly population.
- Identifying modifiable risk factors is crucial for early detection and intervention.
- These findings can guide strategies to prevent cognitive decline in aging individuals.
