Scientists have identified a potential early warning sign for dementia: subtle changes in gait. A new study published in *Neurology* revealed that declines in gait speed and stride length, even slight ones, can predict an increased risk of developing dementia later in life, regardless of age.
Researchers followed nearly 17,000 adults aged 65 and older for several years, tracking their walking patterns and cognitive function. Participants underwent gait assessments, including measurements of walking speed and stride length, along with cognitive testing.
The study found that those whose gait speed decreased by 0.1 meters per second each year were 51% more likely to develop dementia. Similarly, individuals experiencing a 1 centimeter per year decline in stride length faced a 47% higher risk. These associations remained significant even after accounting for other dementia risk factors such as age, education, and pre-existing health conditions.
The findings suggest that monitoring gait patterns could provide a non-invasive and readily accessible method for identifying individuals at higher risk of cognitive decline. While the study doesn’t prove that changes in gait directly cause dementia, it underscores the close connection between motor function and cognitive health. Early detection through gait analysis could potentially allow for earlier interventions and lifestyle modifications to mitigate the risk or slow the progression of dementia.
find the original article here: https://www.yahoo.com/news/scientists-just-uncovered-dementia-warning-120000368.html