Sensorimotor measures predict longitudinal cognitive decline and correlate with CSF and plasma biomarkers

TL;DR

This study shows that simple physical tests like gait speed and grip strength can predict future cognitive decline and are linked to brain biomarkers of dementia.

Contribution

The study demonstrates that sensorimotor measures are novel predictors of cognitive decline and correlate with Alzheimer's biomarkers in CSF and plasma.

Findings

Slower gait speed correlates with higher CSF tau/Aβ42 and plasma NfL levels.

Low grip strength and slow gait speed predict faster cognitive decline over time.

Slower reaction time is associated with lower baseline cognitive scores.

Abstract

Identifying early markers of cognitive decline in cognitively normal older adults is critical for dementia prevention. Sensorimotor measures such as gait speed, grip strength, and reaction time may serve as accessible, sensitive indicators of current and future cognitive impairment. This study examined associations between baseline sensorimotor function and cognitive performance and decline, assessed by the Preclinical Alzheimer Cognitive Composite (PACC), in cognitively normal older adults. In this prospective cohort study, 246 cognitively normal older adults from the DRIVES Project completed baseline assessments of grip strength, gait speed, simple reaction time, and PACC scores. Linear mixed-effects models adjusted for demographic, genetic, and neighborhood depravity level. Cross-sectional analyses examined associations between sensorimotor measures and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers of amyloid and tau pathology, and plasma neurofilament light chain (NfL), where available. Participants (mean age: 74.9 ± 5.17 years; 48.8% female) followed on average for 4 years had a mean baseline PACC score of 1.06 ± 0.50. Cross-sectionally, slower gait speed was associated with higher CSF tau/Aβ42 ratio (p = 0.027), CSF tTau/Aβ42 ratio (p = 0.009), and plasma NfL (p = 0.024). Slower reaction time predicted lower baseline PACC scores (p = 0.028). Longitudinally, low grip strength (p = 0.002) and slow gait speed (p < 0.001) predicted lower cognitive performance, with slow gait speed predicting faster decline (p = 0.015). Simple sensory-motor function measures are associated with current and future cognitive performance, supporting their role in early identification of older adults at risk for cognitive decline.