Malek-Ahmadi M, Duff K, Chen K, Su Y, King JB, Koppelmans V, Schaefer SY. Volumetric regional MRI and neuropsychological predictors of motor task variability in cognitively unimpaired, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and probable Alzheimer's disease older adults.
Exp Gerontol 2023;
173:112087. [PMID:
36639062 PMCID:
PMC9974847 DOI:
10.1016/j.exger.2023.112087]
[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: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
The mechanisms linking motor function to Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression have not been well studied, despite evidence of AD pathology within motor brain regions. Thus, there is a need for new motor measure that is sensitive and specific to AD.
METHODS
In a sample of 121 older adults (54 cognitive unimpaired [CU], 35 amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment [aMCI], and 32 probable mild AD), intrasubject standard deviation (ISD) across six trials of a novel upper-extremity motor task was predicted with volumetric regional gray matter and neuropsychological scores using classification and regression tree (CART) analyses.
RESULTS
Both gray matter and neuropsychological CART models indicated that motor task ISD (our measure of motor learning) was related to cortical regions and cognitive test scores associated with memory, executive function, and visuospatial skills. CART models also accurately distinguished motor task ISD of MCI and probable mild AD from CU.
DISCUSSION
Variability in motor task performance across practice trials may be valuable for understanding preclinical and early-stage AD.
Collapse