Physical function predicts declarative memory

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundNo cure currently exists for Alzheimer’s disease; however, early detection may help create therapies and treatments to slow cognitive decline. The concept of early detection is simple, but is complicated by the inability of primary care physicians to recognize symptoms until late disease manifestation and failure to provide appropriate screening tools for disease detection. Thus, the purpose of the present investigation was to determine predictors of cognitive performance among community‐dwelling older adults.Method63 community‐dwelling older adults (80.0 ± 5.5 years) participated in the present investigation. Declarative memory was used as the measure of cognition. Physical function was measured using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), dual‐task fast walking time, and sit‐to‐stand velocity. Linear regression analysis was used to predict cognition from physical function. Odds ratios were used to determine the magnitude of influence of physical function on cognitive function. ANOVA was used to determine differences in individual physical function variable between low and high cognitive groups.ResultsThe linear regression model included dual‐task fast 10‐m walking time, sex, education, and SPPB score and accounted for 39% of the variance in cognitive ability (p<.001). The physical function variables accounted for 8.8% and 8.5% of unique variance in cognition, respectively. For participants performing below the 50th percentile for dual‐task fast walking time, there was a 3.6‐fold increase in declarative memory scores (CI: 1.44‐9.35). Similarly, SPPB values indicative of mobility dysfunction was associated with a 3.2‐times increase in cognitive impairment (CI: 1.31‐7.87). Results of the one‐way ANOVA revealed significant differences in SPPB (p = .002), peak sit‐to‐stand velocity (p = .007), and dual‐task fast walking time (p = .001). The high cognitive group had significantly better physical function compared to the lower cognitive group.ConclusionResults from the present investigation support the use of physical function in predicting current declarative memory among a sample of community‐dwelling adults with no diagnosed cognitive impairment. Future research is needed to determine the ability to predict changes in cognition longitudinally.