Functional Neural Correlates of Slower Gait among Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment

Abstract

Background Subtle, but observable, changes in mobility often exist among older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Notably, these changes are not inconsequential. Therefore, there is a strong interest to better understand the underlying neural correlates of gait slowing among older adults with MCI. In this study, we aimed to characterize patterns of functional connectivity associated with slower gait speed in older adults with MCI. Methods Forty-nine participants aged 60 years and older with MCI were included in the cross-sectional study. All participants underwent assessments of gait speed and resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging. Results In this sample of older adults with MCI, slower usual gait was characterized by altered connectivity between the sensorimotor network (SMN) and the frontoparietal network (FPN) (p