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Slow Gait tied to Higher Risk of Cognitive Decline

Newswise, July 22, 2012– Problems walking including slow gait and a short stride are associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline, Mayo Clinic researchers have discovered.

Their findings were presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference July 14–19 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Mayo Clinic researchers are presenting on several topics, including the following:

Researchers measured the stride length, cadence and velocity of more than 1,341 participants through a computerized gait instrument at two or more visits roughly 15 months apart. Researchers found that study participants with lower cadence, velocity and length of stride experienced significantly larger declines in global cognition, memory and executive function.

“These results support a possible role of gait changes as an early predictor of cognitive impairment,” said study author Rodolfo Savica, M.D., a Mayo Clinic neurologist.