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Prodromal Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome and Everyday Function
Nigel L Kravatz1, Dristi Adhikari1, Emmeline Ayers1
1Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
Background:
Motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR), a pre-dementia syndrome characterized by subjective cognitive complaints and slow gait, is associated with disability in instrumental activities of daily living. It is unknown whether these functional limitations occur even before this pre-dementia syndrome is diagnosed.
Objective:
To assess profiles of complex and instrumental activities of daily living in the prodromal stages of MCR.
Methods:
We examined functional profiles in 46 older adults (mean age 79 years, 59% women) living in the community with normal cognition at baseline who developed MCR over follow-up ('pre-MCR') with 264 older adults (mean age 75 years, 57% women) who remained cognitively intact over the follow-up period.
Results:
Pre-MCR individuals had more limitations on complex everyday function at baseline compared to normal controls in multivariable logistic regression models (odds ratio 1.21). Pre-MCR cases at baseline had limitations in handling finances (odds ratio 3.0) and performing hobbies (odds ratio 5.5) as compared to normal controls. Pre-MCR cases had a greater difference in the number of complex functional limitations from baseline to MCR compared to the difference from baseline to final visit for the controls (1.2±3.0 versus 0.5±2.2, p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
Limitations in complex everyday tasks arise in the prodromal stages of MCR and can assist in risk prognostication.
Insights
Functional limitations in complex daily tasks emerge during the early stages of Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome (MCR), aiding in risk prediction for this pre-dementia condition.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neuroscience
- Public Health
Background:
- Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome (MCR) is a pre-dementia syndrome linked to daily living disabilities.
- It remains unclear if functional limitations precede MCR diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functional profiles in individuals during the prodromal stages of MCR.
- To assess complex and instrumental activities of daily living in pre-MCR stages.
Main Methods:
- Study included 46 individuals who developed MCR (pre-MCR) and 264 cognitively intact controls.
- Functional profiles were assessed at baseline and during follow-up.
Main Results:
- Pre-MCR individuals exhibited more complex functional limitations at baseline (OR 1.21).
- Specific limitations included handling finances (OR 3.0) and hobbies (OR 5.5).
- Pre-MCR cases showed a significantly greater increase in functional limitations over time compared to controls (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Complex everyday task limitations are present in the prodromal stages of MCR.
- These limitations can aid in predicting MCR risk.
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