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Published on: February 14, 2014
Current levels vs. longitudinal changes: A 7-year study on physical function, brain structure and cognition in older
Eline Baad-Hansen1, Naiara Demnitz2, Anne Theil Gates1
1Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen (ISMC), Copenhagen University Hospital -Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Behavioural Brain Research
|May 29, 2026
Summary
Physical function and brain structure changes predict cognitive decline in older adults. Grip strength may indicate long-term memory, while hippocampal changes relate to processing speed and executive functions.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Aging commonly leads to declines in physical function, brain structure, and cognition.
- Understanding predictors of cognitive performance in later life is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if changes in physical function and gray matter volumes over seven years predict cognitive performance in older adults.
- To explore the relationship between physical function, brain structure, and cognitive abilities in aging.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of five physical function assessments and MRI-derived gray matter volumes in 219 older adults (mean age 73.7).
- Application of Bayesian linear regression models and model averaging to assess associations with cognitive performance.
- Meaningful associations were defined by an inclusion Bayes factor (BFinclusion) of 3 or higher.
Main Results:
- Moderate evidence links current grip strength to long-term memory performance (BFinclusion = 3.52).
- Moderate evidence suggests a relationship between hippocampal decline and cognitive processing speed (BFinclusion = 4.87) and executive functions (BFinclusion = 5.34).
- Other physical function measures and brain volumes showed only anecdotal evidence for predicting cognitive function.
Conclusions:
- Current physical function and longitudinal brain structure measures moderately predict cognitive abilities in older adults.
- Monitoring brain structure over time is important for understanding its relationship with cognitive function.
- Grip strength may serve as a single-time-point indicator of long-term memory in older adults.
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