Cerebrospinal fluid MR dynamics and risk of falls in the elderly.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between CSF dynamics and risk of falls of unknown origin in the elderly.


METHODS
Phase contrast MR studies allowed CSF aqueductal flow quantification on 23 community-dwelling older people initially explored for mild cognitive impairment. Mobility assessment included report of falls, talking walking test, stance test, one leg standing test, up and go test, and measurement of fast gait speed.


RESULTS
History of falls was associated with larger aqueduct, steeper diastolic slopes higher ratios RDV/SD of diastolic volume/CSF systole duration (p</=0.0006). Amplitude CSF parameters, diastolic slopes and RDV/SD appeared correlated with the aqueduct area (p<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
These preliminary data suggest that disturbances of CSF dynamics could play a role in mobility decline with aging especially in falls of unknown origin.
Onen
F
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Department of Geriatrics, Bichat-Claude Bernard University Hospital, AP-HP, 46 rue Henri Huchard, 75877 Paris cedex 18, France. fannie.onen@bch.ap-hop-paris.fr
Feugeas
M C Henry
MC
De Marco
G
G
Baron
G
G
Ravaud
P
P
Legrain
S
S
Moretti
J L
JL
Claeys
E Schouman
ES
Peretti
I Idy
II
D000058:Accidental Falls; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002535:Cerebral Aqueduct / Q000502:physiology*; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D004856:Postural Balance; D018570:Risk Assessment; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric