Sensorimotor Measures Predict Longitudinal Cognitive Decline and Correlate with CSF and Plasma Biomarkers

Q: What cognitive outcome was used to assess performance and decline?

Cognitive performance and longitudinal decline were assessed using the Preclinical Alzheimer Cognitive Composite (PACC).

Q: Which sensorimotor measures were examined at baseline?

Baseline sensorimotor function included gait speed, grip strength, and simple reaction time.

Q: How were CSF and plasma biomarkers related to sensorimotor measures?

Associations were reported between sensorimotor measures and CSF amyloid/tau-related ratios (including tau/Aβ42 and tTau/Aβ42) as well as plasma neurofilament light chain (NfL), supporting relevance to cognitive impairment risk.

Sep 29, 2026

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Identifying early markers of cognitive decline in cognitively normal older adults is critical for dementia prevention. This prospective cohort study linked baseline sensorimotor function—gait speed, grip strength, and simple reaction time—to cognitive performance and decline measured by the Preclinical Alzheimer Cognitive Composite (PACC). In 246 participants from the DRIVES Project, linear mixed-effects models adjusted for demographics, genetics, and neighborhood depravity. Lower grip strength and slower gait speed predicted worse cognition and faster decline, while sensorimotor measures correlated with CSF tau/Aβ42, tTau/Aβ42, and plasma NfL.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Study rationale and objective

Study design and participants

Cognitive assessment (PACC)

Sensorimotor measures

Biomarker measures (CSF and plasma)

Statistical approach

Key findings and implications

1276 Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 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. Abstract citation ID: igaf122.4258 SENSORIMOTOR MEASURES PREDICT LONGITUDI NAL COGNITIVE DECLINE AND CORRELATE WITH CSF AND PLASMA BIOMARKERS. Semere Bekena1, Ramkrishna Kumar Singh2, Yiqi Zhu3, David Carr4, and Ganesh Babulal5, 1. Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St louis, Missouri, United States, 2. Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States, 3. Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Washington Universury, Missouri, United States, 4. Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, Missouri, United States, 5. Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, SAINT LOUIS, Missouri, United States 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

FAQs

What cognitive outcome was used to assess performance and decline?

Cognitive performance and longitudinal decline were assessed using the Preclinical Alzheimer Cognitive Composite (PACC).

Which sensorimotor measures were examined at baseline?

Baseline sensorimotor function included gait speed, grip strength, and simple reaction time.

How were CSF and plasma biomarkers related to sensorimotor measures?

Associations were reported between sensorimotor measures and CSF amyloid/tau-related ratios (including tau/Aβ42 and tTau/Aβ42) as well as plasma neurofilament light chain (NfL), supporting relevance to cognitive impairment risk.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by awa