Walking Changes and Early Signs of Alzheimer's Disease
Neural Mechanisms Underlying Cognitive Contributions to Walking as an Early Marker for Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias
This research explores how changes in walking patterns might be an early sign of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11193503 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We are looking into how walking ability, especially when it requires thinking, might predict the early stages of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Our team will examine specific walking markers, like how well people learn new walking patterns and how much attention they need to walk safely. We also want to understand the brain processes, particularly in an area called the basal ganglia, that connect these walking changes to cognitive decline. The goal is to find better ways to identify these conditions sooner, allowing for earlier support and interventions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for related future studies might be older adults, especially those experiencing mild cognitive impairment or who are at risk for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have or are not at risk for Alzheimer's disease or related dementias may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to detect Alzheimer's disease and related dementias earlier, potentially allowing for interventions to slow cognitive decline.
How similar studies have performed: While gait speed is known to predict these conditions, the specific brain mechanisms linking walking changes to cognitive decline are not yet fully understood, making this a novel area of focus.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Torres-Oviedo, Gelsy — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Torres-Oviedo, Gelsy
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.