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Cognition and motor function: The gait and cognition pooled index
Jacqueline K Kueper1, Daniel J Lizotte1,2,3,4, Manuel Montero-Odasso1,5
1Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
Plos One
|September 11, 2020
Summary
Adding motor function tests to cognitive assessments may improve tracking of early neurodegeneration in pre-dementia populations. This approach enhances outcome measure responsiveness for earlier detection of cognitive decline.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Neurodegenerative diseases impact both cognitive and motor functions.
- Motor function decline is an early indicator in pre-dementia stages.
- Existing outcome measures may lack sensitivity in early-stage populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the responsiveness of outcome measures in pre-dementia populations.
- To assess if incorporating motor function assessments improves sensitivity.
- To test a novel Pooled Index approach for enhanced outcome measurement.
Main Methods:
- Developed a Pooled Index by selecting key variables (gait velocity, dual-task cost, ADAS-Cog-Proxy).
- Utilized Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests for baseline discrimination.
- Employed standardized response means to assess longitudinal change responsiveness.
Main Results:
- The Pooled Index included gait velocity, dual-task gait velocity cost, and an ADAS-Cog-Proxy.
- Pooled Index and ADAS-Cog-Proxy showed comparable baseline discrimination.
- Pooled Index demonstrated similar or greater responsiveness to longitudinal decline compared to ADAS-Cog-Proxy.
Conclusions:
- Integrating motor function assessments with cognitive tests (like ADAS-Cog) can enhance responsiveness in pre-dementia populations.
- This approach holds potential for earlier and more sensitive detection of neurodegeneration.
- Further validation of the Pooled Index is warranted.
