Dementia Signal: Walking speed indicates cognitive decline

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Researchers find all more evidence that a person's walking speed reflects their susceptibility to age-related cognitive decline and dementia.

How fast do you walk? A slowing down of the usual walking pace can be an early sign of cognitive decline.”

The scientists who spoke in it state that not only problems that arise and worsen with memory can be a signal of a possible imminent dementia. The way a person walks can also provide clues about their neurological health.

The authors of a major new study report that older adults who begin to walk more slowly are at increased risk of dementia. In particular, a tendency to age-related dementia is indicated by a slowing of walking pace by approximately 5 percent per year.

Previously, scientists analyzed the data of almost 17,000 people over the age of 65. They were followed for 7 years, while every two years the participants were asked to pass tests on the quality of cognitive functions, memory, speed of information processing and speed of speech. These data related to thinking were correlated with how the subjects' walking changes.

Researchers concluded that a decrease in walking speed can be one of the signals of the onset of dementia along with signs of cognitive deterioration – problematic memory. yatta, loss of orientation. Gait slowing may be associated with a reduction in the right hippocampus, the area of ​​the brain responsible for fun “to catch up on recent events).

Walking can also be a sign of insanity in a slightly different way. People with dementia may wander aimlessly around the house for a long time or leave the house at any time of the day or night.