Speed of Walking and Memory Loss Can Predict Risk of Dementia in Later Life

A new study from the University of Edinburgh suggests that the pace that someone may walk and memory loss could predict the risk of dementia in later life. Experts found that people with Motoric Cognitive Risk (MCR) are also at an increased risk of cognitive impairment and experience higher mortality rates. MCR is a syndrome that involves slow walking speed and memory difficulties.

Researchers analyzed data from almost 50,000 people aged 60 years and older with MCR across 15 studies for the study. It was found that people with MCR were more than twice as likely to develop dementia and were at a 76 percent increased risk of cognitive impairment than people without MCR.

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Researchers also noted that the risk of mortality for people with MCR was 49 percent higher than those without it, and the risk of falls was 38 percent greater. However, they caution that because this was a pooling of observational studies, it was not possible to establish whether MCR causes these outcomes or is simply a risk factor for them.

New Examinations

Globally, 50 million people live with dementia, which is predicted to triple in the next 30 years. Researchers hope these findings will lead to physicians routinely examining patients’ walks for early signs of dementia.

Dr. Donncha Mullin from the University of Edinburgh said, “Adding it to the assessment of people with memory problems could be a practical way to help doctors identify patients at risk of developing dementia, especially in settings with minimal or no access to the current tests used to diagnose dementia. Importantly, our findings remained after taking into account other factors such as age and depression, stroke, or heart attacks. However, more research is required before MCR is ready for use in the clinic.”

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Author Bio

Sarah began her interest in nutritional healing at an early age. After going through health problems and becoming frustrated with the conventional ways doctors wanted to treat her illness (which were not working), she took it upon herself to find alternative treatments. This led her to revolutionize her own diet to help her get healthier and tackle her health problems. She began treating her illness by living a more balanced lifestyle through healthy food choices, exercise and other alternative medicine such as meditation. This total positive lifestyle change led her to earn a diploma in Nutritional Therapy from Health Sciences Academy in London, England. Today, Sarah enjoys helping others by teaching healthy lifestyle changes through her personal consultations and with her regular contributions to the Doctors Health Press. Also, passionate about following her dreams in life, Sarah moved to France and lived in Paris for over 5 years where she earned a certification in beadwork and embroidery from Lesage (an atelier owned by Chanel). She then went on to be a familiar face sitting front row and reporting from Paris Fashion Week. Sarah continues to practice some of the cultural ways of life she learned while in Europe. They enjoy their food, and take the time to relax and enjoy many of life’s little moments. These are life lessons she is glad to have brought back home with her.

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https://medicalxpress.com/news/2022-02-memory-issues-dementia.html
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-is-dementia

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