title: Structural neural correlates of impaired mobility and subsequent decline in executive functions: a 12-month prospective study.
abstract: Impaired mobility, such as falls, may be an early biomarker of subsequent cognitive decline and is associated with subclinical alterations in both brain structure and function. In this 12-month prospective study, we examined whether there are volumetric differences in gray matter and subcortical regions, as well as cerebral white matter, between older fallers and non-fallers. In addition, we assessed whether these baseline volumetric differences are associated with changes in cognitive function over 12months. A total of 66 community-dwelling older adults were recruited and categorized by their falls status. Magnetic resonance imaging occurred at baseline and participants' physical and cognitive performances were assessed at baseline and 12-months. At baseline, fallers showed significantly lower volumes in gray matter, subcortical regions, and cerebral white matter compared with non-fallers. Notably, fallers had significantly lower left lateral orbitofrontal white matter volume. Moreover, lower left lateral orbitofrontal white matter volume at baseline was associated with greater decline in set-shifting performance over 12months. Our data suggest that falls may indicate subclinical alterations in regional brain volume that are associated with subsequent decline in executive functions.
authors.affiliation: Aging, Mobility, and Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Center for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Center for Hip Health and Mobility, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Chun Liang
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.affiliation: Aging, Mobility, and Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Center for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Center for Hip Health and Mobility, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Best
authors.affiliation: Aging, Mobility, and Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Center for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Center for Hip Health and Mobility, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Bryan K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.affiliation: School of Kinesiology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Lindsay S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Nagamatsu
authors.affiliation: Health, Brain, & Cognition Lab, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Department of Psychology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA.
authors.forename: Michelle W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Voss
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Todd C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Handy
authors.affiliation: Aging, Mobility, and Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Center for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Center for Hip Health and Mobility, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Niousha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bolandzadeh
authors.affiliation: Aging, Mobility, and Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Djavad Mowafaghian Center for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Center for Hip Health and Mobility, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Electronic address: teresa.ambrose@ubc.ca.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Liu-Ambrose
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology*; D002170:Canada; D003071:Cognition; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003863:Depression; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D066127:White Matter / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*
keywords: Accidental falls; Cognitive function; Mobility; Older adults; Structural magnetic resonance imaging