Progression of executive functions and gait speed in cognitively preserved elderly with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease: a longitudinal study of 30 months

• Grant number: 17/05165-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): July 01, 2017
• Effective date (End): June 30, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Larissa Pires de Andrade
• Grantee: Natália Oiring de Castro Cezar
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Mild cognitive impairment (CCL) is possibly a prodromal phase of dementias, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). CCL and AD can lead to impairment of executive functions, decline in motor ability, and functional deficit. Objective: To verify the progression of executive functions and gait velocity in cognitively preserved elderly patients with CCL and AD in the light phase, as well as to analyze the correlation between executive functions and gait velocity change in the three elderly profiles. Method: This is a 30-month longitudinal study. The sample will consist of three groups of community elders: cognitively preserved, with CCL and AD in the light phase. The variables dependent on running speed and executive functions will be analyzed. Subjects will be assessed through clinical, neuropsychological and functional. They will be analyzed by means of the Frontal Evaluation Battery, Clock Design and the evaluation of the speed of march of 10 meters. The collected data will be analyzed through SPSS software in version 22.0. It is expected that during the follow-up there will be worsening of executive functions and gait velocity the greater the cognitive impairment. Furthermore, the delta (difference between the final and the initial value) of the Frontal Battery Assessment and the Clock Drawing Test is expected to show a high correlation with the delta of the 10-meter gait test in the elderly with CCL and with AD in the light phase. (AU)