A Three-Year Longitudinal Follow-Up Study: Does Mild Cognitive Impairment Accelerate Age-Related Changes in Physical...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Neuroscience
• Human Physiology

Background:

• Age-related cognitive decline, including mild cognitive impairment (MCI), is often associated with physical function and body composition changes.
• Understanding the interplay between cognitive status and physical aging is crucial for developing effective interventions in older adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the longitudinal impact of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) on physical function and body composition in community-dwelling older adults.
• To determine if MCI influences age-related changes in grip strength, walking speed, body mass index (BMI), and appendicular skeletal muscle index (ASMI).

Main Methods:

• A prospective study involving 180 older adults (≥70 years) with baseline and three-year follow-up assessments.
• Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) was diagnosed using standardized cognitive tests.
• Physical function and body composition (BMI, ASMI) were measured at baseline and follow-up.
• Two-way repeated-measures ANCOVA was used to analyze group (MCI vs. non-MCI) by time interactions, adjusting for age and gender.

Main Results:

• No significant group-by-time interactions were found for overall physical function or body composition.
• However, stratified analyses by gender revealed significant group-by-time interactions for BMI and ASMI in women.
• Older women with MCI showed a greater decline in BMI and ASMI compared to women without MCI.

Conclusions:

• Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) may accelerate age-related declines in body mass and muscle mass specifically in older women.
• The findings underscore the importance of considering cognitive status in women when addressing physical aging and body composition changes.
• Targeted interventions for women with MCI could mitigate adverse effects on muscle mass and overall body composition.