Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 9, 2026

A Fine Motor Task to Study Joint Kinematics in a Preclinical Model of Neurodegenerative Disease
Published on: June 13, 2025
Joint trajectories of objective physical function and cognition and risk of incident dementia: a population-based
Shiyi Wang1, Xiaoke Wang2, Jun Zhou2
1Department of Endocrinology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Background:
This study aimed to identify joint longitudinal trajectories of physio-cognitive aging, determine the temporal precedence between physical and cognitive decline, and evaluate both the mediating role of life space constriction and the moderating effect of sensory impairment on incident dementia risk.
Methods:
Using 8-year longitudinal data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), we applied Parallel-Process Latent Class Growth Analysis (LCGA) to identify joint functional trajectories. Stratified Cross-Lagged Panel Models (CLPM) and survey-weighted survival mediation analyses were used to determine directionality and mechanistic pathways.
Results:
Among 6,175 older adults (representing 35.4 million individuals), we identified four phenotypes, including "Dual Rapid Decliners" (10%) who faced a nearly five-fold increased risk of incident dementia (HR = 4.85). CLPM revealed that physical decline significantly predicted subsequent cognitive decline, while the reverse path was weak and non-significant. This effect was significantly mediated by life space constriction (16.8%) and exacerbated by concurrent vision impairment. Incorporating physical metrics significantly improved exploratory diagnostic modeling (NRI = 0.125).
Conclusions:
Objective physical decline serves as an early, independent prodromal marker for dementia. Maintaining physical mobility and correcting sensory deficits are vital strategies to preserve cognitive health.
Related Concept Videos
Dementia l: Introduction
Cognitive Development During Adulthood
Alzheimer's Disease: Overview
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ and tau...
Dementia
The progression of dementia is generally gradual.
Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology
Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction
