Differential relationships of gait velocity mean and variability with cognitive performance in preclinical older adults

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Kyle

Gait decline can signal early cognitive impairment, but prior work often emphasized gait velocity mean alone and mainly in impaired groups. This cross-sectional study examined whether quantitatively measured gait velocity mean and intra-individual variability (IIV) relate differently to objective cognition in 258 cognitively normal older adults. Using GAITRite walkway assessment and regression models adjusted for age, sex, education, and depressive symptoms, the study found gait velocity IIV inversely related to MMSE and gait velocity mean positively related to MoCA and several executive/fluency measures.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Background

Method

Result

Conclusion

DOI: 10. 1002/alz70856_106219 BIOMARKERS POSTER PRESENTATION BIOMARKERS (NON-NEUROIMAGING) Differential relationships of gait velocity mean and variability with cognitive performance in preclinical older adults Wajiha Ahmed1, 2, 3 Allal Boutajangout 1, 2 Jon Links 1, 2, 3 Natasha De La Cruz2, 3 Brianna Vega 1, 2 Alok Vedvyas 1, 2, 3 Ludovic Debure2, 3 Gaurav Vedvyas4 Sakina Ouedraogo Tall 1, 2 Omonigho M Ricardo S. Osorio 1, 2 Karyn Marsh3, 4, 5 Arjun V. Masurkar 1, 2, 3 Bubu 1 Joshua Chodosh 1, 2 Thomas Wisniewski2, 3, 5 1 NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA 2 NYU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, New York, NY, USA 3 Center for Cognitive Neurology, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA 4Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA 5 New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA Correspondence Wajiha Ahmed, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA. [Email:](Email: wajiha.ahmed@nyulangone.org)[ wajiha.ahmed@nyulangone.org](Email: wajiha.ahmed@nyulangone.org) Abstract Background: Gait decline may serve as a critical and early indicator for cognitive impairment, yet these associations have primarily been examined qualitatively, with a focus only on means, and primarily restricted to cohorts of impaired individuals. We have previously identified differential relationships of quantitatively measured gait velocity mean and intra-individual variability (IIV) with AD-related plasma biomarkers in preclinical older adults. Here we aimed to explore their relationships to objective cognitive performance and examine if quantitatively measured mean and IIV of gait velocity exhibit distinct relationships. Method: This cross-sectional study included 258 cognitively normal older adults (74.8% White, 22.1% Black/ African American, and 2.3% Asian) from the NYU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center cohort who underwent quantitative gait analysis via the GAITRite electronic walkway. Mean and IIV of gait velocity were assessed over eight laps. Cognition was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and other tests included in the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center’s Uniform Data Set 3.0. Depressive symptoms were assessed via the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). The analysis utilized multiple linear regression models, adjusted for age, sex, education, and GDS. Result: Gait velocity IIV was negatively correlated with MMSE (p = 0.02). Mean gait velocity positively correlated with the MoCA (p = 0.01), number span backward (p = 0.03), category fluency (animals and vegetables) (p = 0.02), verbal fluency (p = 0.05). Additional trends suggested that lower cognitive scores were associated with increased IIV and lower mean gait velocity value. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. © 2025 The Alzheimer’s Association. Alzheimer’s & Dementia published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Alzheimer’s Association. Alzheimer’s Dement. 2025;21(Suppl. 2):e106219. [https://doi.org/10.1002/alz70856_106219](https://doi.org/10.1002/alz70856_106219) wi[leyonlinelibrary.com/journal/alz](leyonlinelibrary.com/journal/alz) 1of2 Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that IIV and means of gait velocity show differential relationships with cognitive tests in preclinical individuals. This suggests that gait velocity IIV may have a unique predictive role in the preclinical state distinct from gait velocity mean. Further longitudinal studies are warranted to address the correlations of mean versus IIV of gait velocity with future objective cognitive decline.

FAQs

What was the study’s main aim?

To determine how gait velocity mean and intra-individual variability (IIV) relate to objective cognitive performance and whether these associations differ in preclinical older adults.

How were gait metrics measured?

Gait was quantified using the GAITRite electronic walkway, with mean and IIV of gait velocity assessed over eight laps.

Which cognitive tests showed significant associations with gait metrics?

Gait velocity IIV correlated negatively with MMSE, while gait velocity mean correlated positively with MoCA, number span backward, category fluency, and verbal fluency.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Kyle