Midlife sensory and motor functions improve long-term predictions of cognitive decline and incidence of cognitive impairment

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to assess whether midlife sensory and motor functions improve risk prediction of 10-year cognitive decline and impairment when added to risk prediction models using the Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging, and Incidence of Dementia Score (CAIDE) and Framingham Risk Score (FRS). METHODS: Longitudinal data of N = 1529 (mean age 49 years; 54% women) Beaver Dam Offspring Study (BOSS) participants from baseline, 5 and 10-year follow-up were included. We tested whether including baseline sensory (hearing, vision, olfactory) impairment and motor function improves CAIDE or FRS risk predictions of 10-year cognitive decline or cognitive impairment incidence using logistic regressions. RESULTS: Adding sensory and motor measures to CAIDE-only and FRS-only models significantly improved areas under the curve for cognitive decline and impairment models. DISCUSSION: Including midlife sensory and motor function improved risk predictions of long-term cognitive decline and impairment in middle-aged to older adults. Sensory and motor assessments could contribute to cost-effective and non-invasive screening tools that identify high-risk individuals earlier to target intervention and prevention strategies. Highlights: Sensory and motor measures improve risk prediction models of cognitive decline. Sensory and motor measures improve risk prediction models of cognitive impairment. Prediction improvements were strongest in midlife (adults < 55 years of age). Sensory and motor changes may help identify high-risk individuals early.