Citation

Tian Q, Chastan N, Bair WN, Resnick SM, Ferrucci L, Studenski SA. Neurosci. Biobehav. Rev. 2017; 74(Pt A): 149-162.

Affiliation

Longitudinal Studies Section, Translational Gerontology Branch, National Institute on Aging, 251 Bayview Blvd., Suite 100, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.01.020

PMID

28115194

Abstract

While gait variability may reflect subtle changes due to aging or cognitive impairment (CI), associated brain characteristics remain unclear. We summarize structural and functional neuroimaging findings associated with gait variability in older adults with and without CI and dementia. We identified 17 eligible studies; all were cross-sectional; few examined multiple brain areas. In older adults, temporal gait variability was associated with structural differences in medial areas important for lower limb coordination and balance. Both temporal and spatial gait variability were associated with structural and functional differences in hippocampus and primary sensorimotor cortex and structural differences in anterior cingulate cortex, basal ganglia, association tracts, and posterior thalamic radiation. In CI or dementia, some associations were found in primary motor cortex, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and basal ganglia. In older adults, gait variability may be associated with areas important for sensorimotor integration and coordination. To comprehend the neural basis of gait variability with aging and CI, longitudinal studies of multiple brain areas are needed.

Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Language: en

Keywords

aging; cognitive impairment; dementia; gait variability; neuroimaging; older adults