1
|
Carlson SJ, Chiu YF, Landers MR, Fritz NE, Mishra VR, Longhurst JK. Dual-Task Performance and Brain Morphologic Characteristics in Parkinson's Disease. NEURODEGENER DIS 2024:1-11. [PMID: 39084207 DOI: 10.1159/000540393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Parkinson's disease (PD) reduces an individual's capacity for automaticity which limits their ability to perform two tasks simultaneously, negatively impacting daily function. Understanding the neural correlates of dual tasks (DTs) may pave the way for targeted therapies. To better understand automaticity in PD, we aimed to explore whether individuals with differing DT performances possessed differences in brain morphologic characteristics. METHODS Data were obtained from 34 individuals with PD and 47 healthy older adults including (1) demographics (age, sex), (2) disease severity (Movement Disorder Society - Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale [MDS-UPDRS], Hoehn and Yahr, levodopa equivalent daily dose [LEDD]), (3) cognition (Montreal Cognitive Assessment), (4) LEDD, (5) single-task and DT performance during a DT-timed-up-and-go test utilizing a serial subtraction task, and (6) cortical thicknesses and subcortical volumes obtained from volumetric MRI. Participants were categorized as low or high DT performers if their combined DT effect was greater than the previously determined mean value for healthy older adults (μ = -74.2). Nonparametric testing using Quade's ANCOVA was conducted to compare cortical thicknesses and brain volumes between the highDT and lowDT groups while controlling for covariates: age, sex, MDS-UPDRS part III, LEDD, and intracranial volume. Secondarily, similar comparisons were made between the healthy older adult group and the highDT and lowDT groups. Lastly, a hierarchical linear regression model was conducted regressing combined DT effect on covariates (block one) and cortical thicknesses (block 2) in stepwise fashion. RESULTS The highDT group had thicker cortices than the lowDT group in the right primary somatosensory cortex (p = 0.001), bilateral primary motor cortices (p ≤ 0.001, left; p = 0.002, right), bilateral supplementary motor areas (p = 0.001, left; p < 0.001, right), and mean of the bilateral hemispheres (p = 0.001, left; p < 0.001, right). Of note, left primary cortex thickness (p = 0.002), left prefrontal cortex thickness (p < 0.001), and right supplementary motor area thickness (p = 0.003) differed when adding a healthy comparison group. Additionally, the regression analysis found that the left paracentral lobule thickness explained 20.8% of the variability in combined DT effect (p = 0.011) beyond the influence of covariates. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest regions underlying DT performance, specifically, a convergence of neural control relying on sensorimotor integration, motor planning, and motor activation to achieve higher levels of DT performance for individuals with PD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Carlson
- Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA,
| | - Yi-Fang Chiu
- Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Merrill R Landers
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
| | - Nora E Fritz
- Departments of Health Care Sciences and Neurology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Virendra R Mishra
- Department of Radiology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Jason K Longhurst
- Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhang X, Wang M, Lee SY, Yue Y, Chen Z, Zhang Y, Wang L, Guan Q, Fan W, Shen T. Cholinergic nucleus degeneration and its association with gait impairment in Parkinson's disease. J Neuroeng Rehabil 2024; 21:120. [PMID: 39026279 PMCID: PMC11256459 DOI: 10.1186/s12984-024-01417-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The contribution of cholinergic degeneration to gait disturbance in Parkinson's disease (PD) is increasingly recognized, yet its relationship with dopaminergic-resistant gait parameters has been poorly investigated. We investigated the association between comprehensive gait parameters and cholinergic nucleus degeneration in PD. METHODS This cross-sectional study enrolled 84 PD patients and 69 controls. All subjects underwent brain structural magnetic resonance imaging to assess the gray matter density (GMD) and volume (GMV) of the cholinergic nuclei (Ch123/Ch4). Gait parameters under single-task (ST) and dual-task (DT) walking tests were acquired using sensor wearables in PD group. We compared cholinergic nucleus morphology and gait performance between groups and examined their association. RESULTS PD patients exhibited significantly decreased GMD and GMV of the left Ch4 compared to controls after reaching HY stage > 2. Significant correlations were observed between multiple gait parameters and bilateral Ch123/Ch4. After multiple testing correction, the Ch123/Ch4 degeneration was significantly associated with shorter stride length, lower gait velocity, longer stance phase, smaller ankle toe-off and heel-strike angles under both ST and DT condition. For PD patients with HY stage 1-2, there were no significant degeneration of Ch123/4, and only right side Ch123/Ch4 were corrected with the gait parameters. However, as the disease progressed to HY stage > 2, bilateral Ch123/Ch4 nuclei showed correlations with gait performance, with more extensive significant correlations were observed in the right side. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrated the progressive association between cholinergic nuclei degeneration and gait impairment across different stages of PD, and highlighting the potential lateralization of the cholinergic nuclei's impact on gait impairment. These findings offer insights for the design and implementation of future clinical trials investigating cholinergic treatments as a promising approach to address gait impairments in PD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodan Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Ningbo NO.2 Hospital, NO.6 Building, 41 Xibei Street, Haishu District, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Mateng Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Yinzhou NO.2 Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Shi Yeow Lee
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yumei Yue
- Department of Neurology of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Zhaoying Chen
- Department of Neurology, Ningbo NO.2 Hospital, NO.6 Building, 41 Xibei Street, Haishu District, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yilin Zhang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Lulu Wang
- Department of Neurology, Ningbo NO.2 Hospital, NO.6 Building, 41 Xibei Street, Haishu District, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Qiongfeng Guan
- Department of Neurology, Ningbo NO.2 Hospital, NO.6 Building, 41 Xibei Street, Haishu District, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Weinv Fan
- Department of Neurology, Ningbo NO.2 Hospital, NO.6 Building, 41 Xibei Street, Haishu District, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China.
| | - Ting Shen
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Longhurst JK, Rider JV, Cummings JL, John SE, Poston B, Landers MR. Cognitive-motor dual-task interference in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and prodromal neurodegeneration: A scoping review. Gait Posture 2023; 105:58-74. [PMID: 37487365 PMCID: PMC10720398 DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.07.277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive-motor interference (CMI) is a common deficit in Alzheimer's (AD) disease and Parkinson's disease (PD) and may have utility in identification of prodromal neurodegeneration. There is lack of consensus regarding measurement of CMI resulting from dual task paradigms. RESEARCH QUESTION How are individuals with AD, PD, and prodromal neurodegeneration impacted by CMI as measured by dual-task (DT) performance? METHODS A systematic literature search was performed in six datasets using the PRISMA guidelines. Studies were included if they had samples of participants with AD, PD, or prodromal neurodegeneration and reported at least one measure of cognitive-motor DT performance. RESULTS 4741 articles were screened and 95 included as part of this scoping review. Articles were divided into three non-mutually exclusive groups based on diagnoses, with 26 articles in AD, 56 articles in PD, and 29 articles in prodromal neurodegeneration, and results presented accordingly. SIGNIFICANCE Individuals with AD and PD are both impacted by CMI, though the impact is likely different for each disease. We found a robust body of evidence regarding the utility of measures of DT performance in the detection of subtle deficits in prodromal AD and some signals of utility in prodromal PD. There are several key methodological challenges related to DT paradigms for the measurement of CMI in neurodegeneration. Overall, DT paradigms show good potential as a clinical method to probe specific brain regions, networks, and function; however, task selection and effect measurement should be carefully considered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jason K Longhurst
- Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, Saint Louis University, 3437 Caroline St. Suite, 1011 St. Louis, MO, USA.
| | - John V Rider
- School of Occupational Therapy, Touro University Nevada, Henderson, NV, USA; Department of Physical Therapy, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA.
| | | | - Samantha E John
- Department of Brain Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA.
| | - Brach Poston
- Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA.
| | - Merrill R Landers
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Longhurst JK, Sreenivasan KR, Kim J, Cummings JL, John SE, Poston B, Cordes D, Rider JV, Landers MR. Cortical thickness is related to cognitive-motor automaticity and attention allocation in individuals with Alzheimer's disease: a regions of interest study. Exp Brain Res 2023; 241:1489-1499. [PMID: 37085647 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-023-06618-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by a distinct pattern of cortical thinning and resultant changes in cognition and function. These result in prominent deficits in cognitive-motor automaticity. The relationship between AD-related cortical thinning and decreased automaticity is not well-understood. We aimed to investigate the relationship between cortical thickness regions-of-interest (ROI) and automaticity and attention allocation in AD using hypothesis-driven and exploratory approaches. We performed an ROI analysis of 46 patients with AD. Data regarding MR images, demographic characteristics, cognitive-motor dual task performance, and cognition were extracted from medical records. Cortical thickness was calculated from MR T1 images using FreeSurfer. Data from the dual task assessment was used to calculate the combined dual task effect (cDTE), a measure of cognitive-motor automaticity, and the modified attention allocation index (mAAI). Four hierarchical multiple linear regression models were conducted regressing cDTE and mAAI separately on (1) hypothesis-generated ROIs and (2) exploratory ROIs. For cDTE, cortical thicknesses explained 20.5% (p = 0.014) and 25.9% (p = 0.002) variability in automaticity in the hypothesized ROI and exploratory models, respectively. The dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) (β = - 0.479, p = 0.018) and superior parietal cortex (SPC) (β = 0.467, p = 0.003), and were predictors of automaticity. For mAAI, cortical thicknesses explained 20.7% (p = 0.025) and 28.3% (p = 0.003) variability in attention allocation in the hypothesized ROI and exploratory models, respectively. Thinning of SPC and fusiform gyrus were associated with motor prioritization (β = - 0.405, p = 0.013 and β = - 0.632, p = 0.004, respectively), whereas thinning of the DLPFC was associated with cognitive prioritization (β = 0.523, p = 0.022). Cortical thinning in AD was related to cognitive-motor automaticity and task prioritization, particularly in the DLPFC and SPC. This suggests that these regions may play a primary role in automaticity and attentional strategy during dual-tasking.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jason K Longhurst
- Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, Saint Louis University, 3437 Caroline Mall Suite 1026, Saint Louis, MO, 63104, USA.
- Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Las Vegas, NV, USA.
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, USA.
| | - Karthik R Sreenivasan
- Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Las Vegas, NV, USA
- Department of Brain Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, USA
| | - Jemma Kim
- Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, Saint Louis University, 3437 Caroline Mall Suite 1026, Saint Louis, MO, 63104, USA
| | - Jeffrey L Cummings
- Chambers-Grundy Center for Transformative Neuroscience, Department of Brain Health, School of Integrated Health Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, USA
| | - Samantha E John
- Department of Brain Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, USA
| | - Brach Poston
- Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, USA
| | - Dietmar Cordes
- Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Las Vegas, NV, USA
- Department of Brain Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, USA
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, USA
| | - John V Rider
- School of Occupational Therapy, Touro University, Henderson, NV, USA
| | - Merrill R Landers
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Rothstein TL. Cortical Grey matter volume depletion links to neurological sequelae in post COVID-19 "long haulers". BMC Neurol 2023; 23:22. [PMID: 36647063 PMCID: PMC9843113 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-023-03049-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) has been associated with neurological sequelae even in those patients with mild respiratory symptoms. Patients experiencing cognitive symptoms such as "brain fog" and other neurologic sequelae for 8 or more weeks define "long haulers". There is limited information regarding damage to grey matter (GM) structures occurring in COVID-19 "long haulers". Advanced imaging techniques can quantify brain volume depletions related to COVID-19 infection which is important as conventional Brain MRI often fails to identify disease correlates. 3-dimensional voxel-based morphometry (3D VBM) analyzes, segments and quantifies key brain volumes allowing comparisons between COVID-19 "long haulers" and normative data drawn from healthy controls, with values based on percentages of intracranial volume. METHODS This is a retrospective single center study which analyzed 24 consecutive COVID-19 infected patients with long term neurologic symptoms. Each patient underwent Brain MRI with 3D VBM at median time of 85 days following laboratory confirmation. All patients had relatively mild respiratory symptoms not requiring oxygen supplementation, hospitalization, or assisted ventilation. 3D VBM was obtained for whole brain and forebrain parenchyma, cortical grey matter (CGM), hippocampus, and thalamus. RESULTS The results demonstrate a statistically significant depletion of CGM volume in 24 COVID-19 infected patients. Reduced CGM volume likely influences their long term neurological sequelae and may impair post COVID-19 patient's quality of life and productivity. CONCLUSION This study contributes to understanding effects of COVID-19 infection on patient's neurocognitive and neurological function, with potential for producing serious long term personal and economic consequences, and ongoing challenges to public health systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ted L. Rothstein
- grid.253615.60000 0004 1936 9510Department of Neurology, George Washington University, Washington, DC USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Horata ET, Kundakci YE. Comparison of gait parameters under single- and dual-task conditions between children with specific learning disorder and typically developing children. Gait Posture 2022; 98:128-133. [PMID: 36108570 DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2022.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children with specific learning disorder (SLD) have some cognitive and postural stability problems compared to typically developing (TD) children. Their single and dual-task gait performance may be affected depending on these problems. RESEARCH QUESTION Are there any differences between the gait parameters of children with SLD and TD under single- and dual-task conditions? METHODS A comparative-descriptive study was conducted among 35 children with SLD and 33 TD children. All participants were assessed for gait parameters using a custom wireless inertial sensor under single and dual-task conditions. In the dual-task gait tests, there were the following tasks: to carry a glass of water and to tell apart the color of the paper. RESULTS The children with SLD exhibited gait deterioration in both single and dual-task gait (p < 0.05). Dual-task cost cognitive values were higher in children with SLD (p < 0.05). SIGNIFICANCE This study highlights the worse gait performance of children with SLD under single- and dual-task conditions compared with TD children. However, interventions for their gait impairments are limited. At this point, SLD specialists can focus on multitasking to improve their walking skills.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emel Tasvuran Horata
- Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey
| | - Yunus Emre Kundakci
- Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Longhurst JK, Rider JV, Cummings JL, John SE, Poston B, Held Bradford EC, Landers MR. A Novel Way of Measuring Dual-Task Interference: The Reliability and Construct Validity of the Dual-Task Effect Battery in Neurodegenerative Disease. Neurorehabil Neural Repair 2022; 36:346-359. [PMID: 35387509 DOI: 10.1177/15459683221088864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Decreased automaticity is common among individuals with neurodegenerative disease and is often assessed using dual-task (DT) paradigms. However, the best methods for assessing performance changes related to DT demands remain inconclusive. OBJECTIVE To investigate the reliability and validity of a novel battery of DT measures (DT Effect-Battery (DTE-B)) encompassing three domains: task-specific interference, task prioritization, and automaticity. METHODS Data for this retrospective cross-sectional study included 125 participants with Parkinson's disease (PD), 127 participants with Alzheimer's disease (AD), and 84 healthy older adults. Reliability analyses were conducted using a subset of each population. DTE-B measures were calculated from single and DT performance on the Timed Up and Go test and a serial subtraction task. Construct validity was evaluated via associations within the DTE-B and with theoretically supported measures as well as known-groups validity analyses. RESULTS Good to excellent reliability was found for DTE-B measures of task interference (motor and cognitive DT effects) (ICCs≥.658) and automaticity (combined DT effect (cDTE)) (ICCs≥.938). Evidence for convergent validity was found with associations within the hypothesized constructs. Known-groups validity analyses revealed differences in the DTE-B among the healthy group and PD and AD groups (ps≤.001), excepting task prioritization (ps≥.061). CONCLUSIONS This study provides evidence to support the DTE-B as a reliable measure of multiple constructs pertinent to DT performance. The cDTE demonstrated evidence to support its validity as a measure of automaticity. Further investigation of the utility of the DTE-B in both PD and AD, as well as other populations, is warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jason K Longhurst
- 15994Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA.,59432University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA.,Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - John V Rider
- 15994Touro University Nevada, Henderson, NV, USA.,59432University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Kim H, Fraser S. Neural correlates of dual-task walking in people with central neurological disorders: a systematic review. J Neurol 2022; 269:2378-2402. [PMID: 34989867 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-021-10944-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People with central neurological disorders experience difficulties with dual-task walking due to disease-related impairments. The objective of this review was to provide a comprehensive examination of the neural correlates (structural/functional brain changes) of dual-task walking in people with Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple sclerosis (MS), stroke, and Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS A systematic review of the literature was conducted, following PRISMA guidelines, on Medline, Embase, and Scopus. Included studies examined the relationship between structural and functional brain imaging and dual-task walking performance in people with PD, MS, stroke, and AD. Articles that met the inclusion criteria had baseline characteristics, study design, and behavioral and brain outcomes extracted. Twenty-three studies were included in this review. RESULTS Most structural imaging studies (75%) found an association between decreased brain integrity and poor dual-task performance. Specific brain regions that showed this association include the striatum regions and hippocampus in PD and supplementary motor area in MS. Functional imaging studies reported an association between increased prefrontal activity and maintained (compensatory recruitment) or decreased dual-task walking performance in PD and stroke. A subset (n = 2) of the stroke papers found no significant correlations. Increased supplementary motor area activity was associated with decreased performance in MS and stroke. No studies on AD were identified. CONCLUSION In people with PD, MS, and stroke, several neural correlates of dual-task walking have been identified, however, the direction of the association between neural and performance outcomes varied across the studies. The type of cognitive task used and presentation modality (e.g., visual) may have contributed to these mixed findings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyejun Kim
- School of Human Kinetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, 125 University Private, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Sarah Fraser
- Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, 25 University Private, Ottawa, ON, K1N 7K4, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Longhurst JK, Cummings JL, John SE, Poston B, Rider JV, Salazar AM, Mishra VR, Ritter A, Caldwell JZ, Miller JB, Kinney JW, Landers MR. Dual Task Performance Is Associated with Amyloidosis in Cognitively Healthy Adults. J Prev Alzheimers Dis 2022; 9:297-305. [PMID: 35543003 PMCID: PMC9286710 DOI: 10.14283/jpad.2022.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preclinical Alzheimer's disease (AD) provides an opportunity for the study and implementation of interventions and strategies aimed at delaying, mitigating, and preventing AD. While this preclinical state is an ideal target, it is difficult to identify efficiently and cost-effectively. Recent findings have suggested that cognitive-motor dual task paradigms may provide additional inference. OBJECTIVES Investigate the relationship between dual task performance and amyloidosis, suggestive of preclinical Alzheimer's disease and whether dual task performance provides additional information beyond a cognitive composite, to help in the identification of amyloidosis. DESIGN Cross-sectional. SETTING Outpatient specialty brain health clinical research institution in the United States. PARTICIPANTS 52 cognitively healthy adults. MEASUREMENTS The data included demographics, amyloid standardized uptake value ratio obtained via florbetapir-PET, neuropsychological testing, apolipoprotien E genotype, and dual task performance measures. Data were analyzed via hierarchal multiple linear regression or logistic regression, controlling for age, education, and apolipoprotien E genotype. Receiver operating characteristic curves were plotted, and sensitivity and specificity calculated via 2x2 contingency tables. RESULTS There was a moderate relationship (rs>.30) between motor and cognitive dual task effects and amyloid standardized uptake value ratio (ps<.042). A strong relationship (r=.58) was found between combined dual task effect, a measure of automaticity derived from dual task performance, and amyloid standardized uptake value ratio (p<.001). Additionally, combined dual task effect showed promise in its unique contributions to amyloid standardized uptake value ratio, accounting for 7.8% of amyloid standardized uptake value ratio variance beyond cognitive composite scores (p=.018). Additionally, when incorporated into the cognitive composite, combined dual task effect resulted in improved diagnostic accuracy for determining elevated amyloid standardized uptake value ratio, and increased the sensitivity and specificity of the cognitive composite. CONCLUSSION Dual task performance using the combined dual task effect, a measure of automaticity, was a moderate predictor of cerebral amyloidosis, which suggests that it has utility in the screening and diagnosis of individuals for preclinical AD. Additionally, when combined with the cognitive composite, the combined dual task effect improves diagnostic accuracy. Further research is warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J K Longhurst
- Jason K. Longhurst, PT, DPT, PHD, Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA, 63104, , tel: 314-977-8533, fax: 314-977-8513
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|