Slow walking speed, time to perform the Five-Times-Sit-to-Stand (FTSS) test and Motoric Cognitive Risk syndrome (MCR; defined as slow gait speed combined with subjective cognitive complaint) have been separately used to screen older individuals at risk of cognitive decline.

• To compare the characteristics of older individuals with MCR, as defined through slow walking speed and/or increased FTSS time
• To examine the relationship between MCR and its motor components and amnestic (a-MCI) and non-amnestic (na-MCI) Mild Cognitive Impairment

The design is a cross-sectional study, which used the baseline assessment of the “Gait and Alzheimer Interactions Tracking” (GAIT) study.

A total of 633 dementia-free individuals were selected from the cross-sectional GAIT study. Slow gait speed and increased FTSS time were used as criteria for the definition of MCR. Participants were separated into five groups, according to MCR status: MCR as defined by

1) slow gait speed exclusively (MCRs),

2) increased FTSS time exclusively (MCRf),

3) slow gait speed and increased FTSS time (MCRsaf),

4) MCR irrespective of the mobility test used (MCRsof) and

5) absence of MCR. Cognitive status (i.e., a-MCI, na-MCI, cognitively healthy) was also determined.

Individuals displaying MCRf are distinct from those displaying MCRs. MCRf status does not relate to MCI status in the same way that MCRs does. MCRs related negatively to a-MCI and positively to na-MCI. These results suggest that FTTS cannot be used to define MCR when the goal is to predict risk of cognitive decline, such as future dementia.

Jewish General Hospital, Montreal

Faculty of Medicine, McGill University

McMaster University, Hamilton (ON)