Longitudinal investigation of gait and Alzheimer's disease in adults with Down syndrome.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Gait abnormalities are associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the general population, but it is unclear if the same is true for individuals with Down syndrome (DS). This study examined gait across 32 months in relation to neuroimaging biomarkers (amyloid beta [Aβ], neurofibrillary tangles [NFTs], and hippocampal volume), cognitive decline, and clinical AD status in adults with DS.

Methods

Participants were 218 adults with DS who underwent Aβ and NFT positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, cognitive testing, and gait assessments at baseline and 32 months. Residual change regression models were conducted.

Results

Higher baseline Aβ PET and NFT PET and lower MRI hippocampal volume were associated with gait declines

SUBMITTER: Barry A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12035545 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature