Summary: Researchers have developed a new method that can predict a person’s risk of cognitive decline based on how well they can balance.
Source: University of Tsukuba
Physical balance may not seem like it would be associated with cognitive function. But now, researchers from Japan have developed a new way to predict cognitive problems according to physical balance.
In a study recently published in BMC Geriatrics, researchers from the University of Tsukuba have revealed a new measure of physical balance that could help to identify individuals who are at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a medical condition characterized by minor changes in cognitive ability. As individuals with this condition have an enhanced risk of progression to AD, the early identification of MCI can guide medical interventions that could prevent this outcome.
Problems with physical balance have long been understood to occur in individuals with AD, who have a high frequency of falls, and those with MCI have similar changes in vestibular function.
Therefore, it may be possible to screen individuals for MCI before they show symptoms according to whether they have problems with physical balance. However, at present, few options are available for efficient balance screening in the general population, which the researchers at University of Tsukuba aimed to address.
“Early interventions are critical for the prevention of AD,” says lead author of the study Professor Naoya Yahagi. “Because changes in vestibular function have been associated with both MCI and AD, we wanted to develop a new way to efficiently assess such changes in the general population.”
To do this, the researchers constructed a new method for evaluating balance capability and vestibular function using a Nintendo Wii balance board with foam rubber. The scale was called the visual dependency index of postural stability (VPS). Healthy volunteers aged 56–75 with no apparent cognitive impairment completed the VPS, as well as measures of cognitive function.
“The results were surprising,” explains Professor Yahagi. “We found that scores on the VPS were highly associated with cognitive impairment assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, which is a commonly used tool for screening cognitive ability.”
Furthermore, the scale had relatively high sensitivity and specificity, indicating that it was successful in picking up important clues to indicate whether an individual was at risk of developing AD.
“Our findings indicate that features of MCI were easily picked up by the VPS. As such, this new scale may be useful way to screen for MCI in the general population,” says Professor Yahagi.
Given that problems with physical balance are known to occur in individuals with MCI and AD, the VPS could be an inexpensive and accessible way to screen for cognitive impairment in the general population.
The early and accurate detection of MCI could lead to new options for treatment, which could dramatically improve outcomes for individuals with neurodegenerative conditions.
About this cognitive decline research news
Author: Press Office
Source: University of Tsukuba
Contact: Press Office – University of Tsukuba
Image: The image is in the public domain
Original Research: Open access.
“New balance capability index as a screening tool for mild cognitive impairment” by Yasuhiro Suzuki et al. BMC Geriatrics
Abstract
New balance capability index as a screening tool for mild cognitive impairment
Background
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is not just a prodrome to dementia, but a very important intervention point to prevent dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It has long been known that people with AD have a higher frequency of falls with some gait instability. Recent evidence suggests that vestibular impairment is disproportionately prevalent among individuals with MCI and dementia due to AD. Therefore, we hypothesized that the measurement of balance capability is helpful to identify individuals with MCI.
Methods
First, we developed a useful method to evaluate balance capability as well as vestibular function using Nintendo Wii balance board as a stabilometer and foam rubber on it. Then, 49 healthy volunteers aged from 56 to 75 with no clinically apparent cognitive impairment were recruited and the association between their balance capability and cognitive function was examined. Cognitive functions were assessed by MoCA, MMSE, CDR, and TMT-A and -B tests.
Results
The new balance capability indicator, termed visual dependency index of postural stability (VPS), was highly associated with cognitive impairment assessed by MoCA, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was more than 0.8, demonstrating high sensitivity and specificity (app. 80% and 60%, respectively).
Conclusions
Early evidence suggests that VPS measured using Nintendo Wii balance board as a stabilometer helps identify individuals with MCI at an early and preclinical stage with high sensitivity, establishing a useful method to screen MCI.
