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Your walk may predict decline in memory, thinking

Published

8 years ago

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Reduced speed, imbalance, memory and thinking, cognitive task, cognitive impairment, dementing illnesses, stride length, ambulatory time, gait speed, step count, cadence, stance time, arm swing

Decline in memory

New York: Individuals who suffer problems associated with walking such as reduced speed, imbalance, among others, can be at a significant risk of developing decline in memory and thinking, a study has found.

Walking is part of the complex cognitive task known as gait that includes everything from a person’s stride length to the accompanying swing of each arm.

Previous studies have reported that slower gait speed might predict cognitive impairment and dementing illnesses, supporting the role of gait speed as a possible subclinical marker of cognitive impairment.

In the study, researchers from Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, US, used a non-invasive computerised gait analysis test that could identify patients at high risk for cognitive decline and to target appropriate therapies.

They measured gait parameters, such as stride length, ambulatory time, gait speed, step count, cadence, stance time, arm swing on each patient.

The results showed that alterations in several of the gait parameters were associated with decline in memory, thinking and language skills, and visual perception of the spatial relationship of objects.

“The presence of gait disturbances increases with advancing age and affects the independence of daily living, especially in the elderly,” said lead author Rodolfo Savica, neurologist at Mayo Clinic.

For the study, the researchers analysed 3,426 cognitively normal participants who were between ages 70 to 89.  The study was published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.

 

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Corona

Covid toll in Karnataka is a worrying sign for state government

Published

3 years ago

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May 4, 2022

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Even though Karnataka recorded the lowest number of Covid deaths in April since the virus struck first in 2020, the state is recording a rise in the positivity rate (1.50 per cent). Five people died from the Covid infections in April as per the statistics released by the state health department. In March, the positivity rate stood around 0.53 per cent. In the first week of April it came down to 0.38 per cent, second week registered 0.56 per cent, third week it rose to 0.79 per cent and by end of April the Covid positivity rate touched 1.19 per cent.

on an average 500 persons used to succumb everyday in the peak of Covid infection, as per the data. Health experts said that the mutated Coronavirus is losing its fierce characteristics as vaccination, better treatment facilities and awareness among the people have contributed to the lesser number of Covid deaths.

During the 4th and 6th of April two deaths were reported in Bengaluru, one in Gadag district on April 8, two deaths were reported from Belagavi and Vijayapura on April 30. The first Covid case was reported in the state in March 2020 and three Covid deaths were recorded in the month. In the following month 21 people became victims to the deadly virus, and May 2020 recorded 22 deaths. The death toll recorded everyday after May crossed three digits. However, the third wave, which started in January 2

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