White matter integrity is associated with gait impairment and falls in mild cognitive impairment. Results from the gait and brain study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is an intermediate state between normal cognition and dementia that is associated with twice the risk of falls. It is unknown whether white matter integrity (WMI) is associated with increased risk of falls in MCI. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if early changes in WMI were associated with gait impairment and falls.

Methods

Forty-three participants with MCI from the Gait and Brain Study underwent standardized assessment of cognition, gait performance under single and dual-task conditions (walking while talking), and WMI using 3 Tesla diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Macro-structural imaging characteristics (white and grey matter morphology) as well as microstructural WMI parameters were examined for associations with falls

SUBMITTER: Snir JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6706343 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature