Imagine if I told you that slow walking and feeling forgetful could be signs of something more serious? Well, a group of scientists conducted a fascinating study on what they called Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome (MCR). They wanted to see if MCR could predict future disability in older adults. And guess what? They found a strong association between MCR and incident disability after following the participants for 7 years. MCR is like a warning sign, telling us that trouble might be brewing. It’s kind of like when your car engine makes a strange noise and you know it’s time to take it to the mechanic. In this case, MCR is telling us that the brain and body may not be working as well as they should be. So, it’s really important to identify MCR early on so that we can take steps to prevent or delay disability. If we catch MCR early, we can think of it like an early warning system for potential future problems. But there’s still more research to be done! To learn more about this exciting study, check out the original research article.
BackgroundThough motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR) share risk factors with disability, whether it predict disability remains understudied.ObjectivesThis study aims to examine the association between MCR and incident disability.DesignLongitudinal study.MethodsMCR was defined as subjective cognitive complaints and objective slow gait speed. Two subtypes of MCR were defined by whether memory impairment (MI) was also present, MCR-MI and MCR-non-MI. Incident activities of daily living (ADL) disability and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) disability were outcome measures. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess the independent effect of MCR at baseline on the odds of ADL/IADL disability at a 7 year follow-up.ResultsAmong the subjects who were not disabled at baseline and followed for 7 years, 34.66% reported incident ADL disability, and 31.64% reported incident IADL disability. Compared with participants without MCR at baseline, those with MCR had 58% increased odds of incident ADL disability (OR=1.58, 95% CI: 1.19–2.09) and 46% increased odds of incident IADL disability (OR=1.46, 95% CI: 1.13–1.88) after 7 years. MCR-non-MI was associated with a 56.63% increased risk of ADL disability and a 34.73% increased risk of IADL disability. MCR-MI was associated with an even higher risk of IADL disability (OR = 2.14, 95% CI: 1.18–3.88).ConclusionsMCR is an independent risk factor for both incident ADL and IADL disability. MCR-MI predicts a higher risk for disability than MCR-non-MI. Early identification of MCR among older adult is recommended and may decrease future risk of disability.
Dr. David Lowemann, M.Sc, Ph.D., is a co-founder of the Institute for the Future of Human Potential, where he leads the charge in pioneering Self-Enhancement Science for the Success of Society. With a keen interest in exploring the untapped potential of the human mind, Dr. Lowemann has dedicated his career to pushing the boundaries of human capabilities and understanding.
Armed with a Master of Science degree and a Ph.D. in his field, Dr. Lowemann has consistently been at the forefront of research and innovation, delving into ways to optimize human performance, cognition, and overall well-being. His work at the Institute revolves around a profound commitment to harnessing cutting-edge science and technology to help individuals lead more fulfilling and intelligent lives.
Dr. Lowemann’s influence extends to the educational platform BetterSmarter.me, where he shares his insights, findings, and personal development strategies with a broader audience. His ongoing mission is shaping the way we perceive and leverage the vast capacities of the human mind, offering invaluable contributions to society’s overall success and collective well-being.