The Way You Walk May Hold Alzheimer's Clues Years Before Symptoms Appear

Researchers at Texas A&M University are studying whether subtle changes in the way a person walks could serve as early indicators of Alzheimer's disease, long before cognitive symptoms appear. Dr. Jenna Yentes, an associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management, believes that analyzing a person's gait could potentially lead to new early detection methods for Alzheimer's and related dementias.

Gait analysis, which involves measuring various aspects of walking patterns, might become an easily accessible health measure to identify individuals who might benefit from further screening. The team is recruiting 50 adults aged 45 to 85 without dementia to participate in a comprehensive assessment that includes cognitive testing, health questionnaires, blood samples, brain MRI scans, and detailed walking evaluations.

The researchers will examine factors such as gait reserve, which is the difference between a person's usual walking speed and the fastest speed they can maintain, as well as gait variability, the subtle variations in steps that help individuals navigate different environments. While gait changes can be influenced by various factors, including aging and other neurological conditions, the researchers hope that detecting these changes early could serve as an early warning sign for clinicians, prompting further investigation into potential neurological issues.

Yentes emphasized the importance of studying middle-aged adults, as Alzheimer's-related biological changes can begin up to 20 years before symptoms manifest. She envisions a future where gait monitoring becomes as routine as measuring blood pressure or heart rate, with significant deviations in walking patterns acting as early indicators for further medical investigation.