Slow walking speed improved the detection of prodromal dementia

Cognitive impairment, no dementia (CIND) is considered an at-risk condition for dementia. However, many older individuals with CIND will remain cognitively stable or even revert to a normal state of cognition. In this study, we investigated whether adding a test of motor function (i.e. walking speed) to the neuropsychological assessment improves our ability to detect dementia. Using data spanning over 12 years of follow-up we found that people with co-occurring cognitive and motor dysfunction experience the highest risk of dementia. Also, adding an easy‐to‐perform measurement of physical function—such as walking speed—to a standard cognitive battery dramatically improved the detection of prodromal dementia. Taken together, these findings point toward a strong relationship between cognitive and physical domains in the development of dementia, suggesting that markers of both may help in a better dementia risk assessment (Grande, et al. Alzheimers Dement 2020)