Anticipatory reaching motor behavior characterizes patients within the Alzheimer's disease continuum in a virtual reality environment.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is characterized by progressive declines in cognitive and motor functions, impairing daily activities. Traditionally, AD diagnosis relies on cognitive assessments, but emerging evidence highlights motor function deficits as early indicators of AD and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). These motor declines, which often precede cognitive symptoms, include slower and less accurate reaching movements. This study explored reaching actions in a Virtual Reality (VR) environment in AD and MCI patients to identify motor deficits and their link to cognitive decline.

Methods

The study involved 61 right-handed participants (19 AD, 21 MCI, and 21 healthy age-matched controls), screened for cognitive health using a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Pa

SUBMITTER: de Nobile A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11980269 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature