Elevated Gait Speed Maintains Cognitive Function in Advanced Neurovascular Aging
Poster No:
911
Submission Type:
Abstract Submission
Authors:
Xuan Feng1, Pei-Lin Lee2, Chih-Ping Chung3, Lin Ching-Po4, Chu-chung Huang1
Institutions:
1East China Normal University, Shanghai, China, 2National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, 3Center for Healthy Longevity and Aging Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, 4Department of Education and Research, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
First Author:
Co-Author(s):
Chih-Ping Chung
Center for Healthy Longevity and Aging Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
Taipei, Taiwan
Center for Healthy Longevity and Aging Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
Taipei, Taiwan
Introduction:
Cognitive reserve explains individual resilience to cognitive decline despite aging- or neurovascular-related brain changes. Understanding cognitive reserve mechanisms in healthy adults with neurological burden is crucial for identifying protective factors against cognitive decline (Song et al., 2022; Zhang et al., 2023). Building on our validated neurovascular age prediction model based on regional white matter hyperintensities in healthy adults (Huang et al., 2022)., we hypothesized that specific lifestyle and health factors contribute to cognitive maintenance despite equivalent neurovascular aging status, potentially serving as reserve factors against cerebral small vessel disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Methods:
In this retrospective study, we first selected participants having greater WMH burdens from a group (N = 452) of healthy subjects (50 - 78 years). Participants completed standardized assessments of global cognition, verbal memory, and executive function (visual, auditory, and visuospatial domains). The partition around medoids (PAM) algorithm identified cognitive performance clusters, adjusted for age. Between-cluster comparisons employed Welch's t-test, Pearson's Chi-squared test, or Fisher's exact test as appropriate (α = 0.05). We used logistic regression to quantify associations between health factors and cognitive reserve status. Educational level moderation was tested through interaction analyses. Structural equation modeling examined whether brain measures (gray matter volume and network efficiency) influenced cognitive performance through the identified reserve factors as mediators.
·Schematic illustration of study procedure
Results:
Cluster analysis identified a cognitively reserved group (n = 266) demonstrating superior performance across all cognitive domains despite matched WMH burden. The reserved group showed higher nutrition status (t [358·15] = -3.18, p = 0.002), better physical health-related quality of life (t [378·1] = -1·94, p = 0.053), and fewer depressive symptoms (t [285·06] = 2·38, p = 0.018). Gait speed (OR = 0.300, 95% CI [0.175-0.518]) and handgrip strength (OR = 0.945, 95% CI [0.913-0.980]) significantly predicted reserve group membership. Educational attainment moderated the gait speed effect, with stronger associations in less educated participants. Mediation analyses revealed gray matter volume as a significant mediator between gait speed and global cognition (indirect effect β = 0.17, p < 0.01), while functional network efficiency showed no significant mediating effect (indirect effect β = 0.71, p = 0.08).
·Forest plot for logistic regression and moderation analysis
Conclusions:
This study provides a novel perspective on cognitive reserve research and support motor function–particularly gait speed and handgrip strength–as a key modifiable factor that mitigates cognitive decline associated with neurovascular aging. The link between physical performance and cognitive maintenance was more pronounced in higher-educated individuals, highlighting the complementary roles of physical activity and education in cognitive reserve. Notably, gray matter volume, rather than functional network efficiency, mediated the relationship between physical performance and cognitive function, suggesting brain structure as a critical pathway for maintaining cognitive performance despite vascular burden. These findings underscore the importance of physical activity, especially gait speed and adherence to an active lifestyle in preserving cognitive function in the face of neurological decline. Our study offers practical insight for tailored interventions targeting cognitive aging.
Lifespan Development:
Aging 1
Modeling and Analysis Methods:
Classification and Predictive Modeling 2
Keywords:
Aging
White Matter
Other - cognitive reserve
1|2Indicates the priority used for review
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Were any human subjects research approved by the relevant Institutional Review Board or ethics panel? NOTE: Any human subjects studies without IRB approval will be automatically rejected.
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Provide references using APA citation style.
Song, S., Stern, Y., & Gu, Y. (2022). Modifiable lifestyle factors and cognitive reserve: A systematic review of current evidence. Ageing Research Reviews, 74, 101551. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2021.101551
Zhang, Y., Chen, S.-D., Deng, Y.-T., You, J., He, X.-Y., Wu, X.-R., Wu, B.-S., Yang, L., Zhang, Y.-R., Kuo, K., Feng, J.-F., Cheng, W., Suckling, J., David Smith, A., & Yu, J.-T. (2023). Identifying modifiable factors and their joint effect on dementia risk in the UK Biobank. Nature Human Behaviour, 7(7), 1185–1195. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-023-01585-x