Key result
Lower mean blood flow velocity in the cerebral circulation was associated with slower gait speed, slower chair rise time, and shorter unipedal stance time in older adults.
Why the study?
Is lower mean blood flow velocity in cerebral arteries associated with worse lower extremity function in older adults?
Cross-Sectional (n=200)
Is lower mean blood flow velocity in cerebral arteries associated with worse lower extremity function in older adults?
Low mean blood flow velocity in cerebral arteries is associated with worse lower extremity function and balance in older adults, suggesting a link between cerebral hemodynamics and physical performance.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Should not yet change mobility assessment in older adults; hypothesis-generating for cerebral hemodynamics in age-related functional decline.
OBJECTIVES: To determine whether transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) measures of mean blood flow velocity (MBFV) in the major cerebral arteries are associated with measures of lower extremity function in community-dwelling older adults. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Community sample. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals aged 70 and older (mean 79.5, 54% female) without dementia participating in the Einstein Aging Study (N = 200). MEASUREMENTS: All participants underwent TCD assessments and tests of lower extremity function at an annual clinic visit. Average MBFV for anterior (left and right anterior and middle cerebral arteries (MCAs)) and posterior (vertebral (VA) and basilar (BA) artery) circulation was measured using a standardized TCD protocol. Lower extremity function was characterized according to gait speed (cm/s) measured using an instrumented walkway, balance according to unipedal stance time (UPST, seconds), and lower extremity strength according to timed repeated chair rise (seconds). RESULTS: Multiple regression models adjusted for age, sex, race, education, and medical comorbidities showed that lower MBFV in the MCA was associated with slower gait speed and chair rise time but not with UPST. Ordinal regression models showed that lower MBFV in the VA and BA is associated with shorter UPST. CONCLUSION: Low MBFV in the anterior and posterior cerebral circulation was associated with worse lower extremity function and balance in older adults. This might be indicative of the importance of age-related changes in cerebral hemodynamics in the function of brain regions involved in specific aspects of physical performance.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Ezzati et al. (2017) conducted a cross-sectional in Older adults without dementia (n=200). Lower mean blood flow velocity (MBFV) vs. Higher MBFV was evaluated on Lower extremity function (gait speed, unipedal stance time, and timed repeated chair rise). Lower mean blood flow velocity in the cerebral circulation was associated with slower gait speed, slower chair rise time, and shorter unipedal stance time in older adults.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: