Dual decline in both gait and cognition possible red flag for dementia

Knowledge
10 Jun 2022

A recent article in JAMA Open highlighted a potential red flag for clinicians to explore: a dual decline in both gait and cognition.

Dr Joe Verghese suggested that the two changes combined are a strong sign of dementia in the individual. He posed that, based on current evidence, they may be both causal and symptomatic, noting that a decline in both can be linked with vascular and Parkinsonian conditions.

He suggested that improving - or maintaining - walking function in individuals may prove to be a positive preventative measure for dementia, but that further research is needed to understand this further.

Read the article online.

Verghese J. Gait and Cognitive Declines in Dementia—Double or Nothing. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(5):e2214654. epub 31 May 2022. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.14654

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