Subtle neurological abnormalities in apparently healthy older adults are independent risk factors for cognitive and functional decline and death, according to an Italian study reported in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
"This study reaffirms that subtle neurologic abnormalities are frequent and should be systematically investigated in older adults, even when they are not referred to the physician for neurological problems," lead author Dr Marco Inzitari told Reuters Health.
To examine the association between subtle neurologic abnormalities and health outcomes, Inzitari, currently at the Aging Institute of the Autonomous University of Barcelona, and colleagues conducted neurological assessments of 506 subjects who were 65 years or older (average age 72.5 years) in 1996. The subjects had no history of stroke, dementia, cognitive impairment, or Parkinson's disease.
The evaluation included measures of muscle strength; physical sensitivity; deep tendon reflexes; plantar reflex (used to evaluate the neural pathways that control the lower limbs); plus the Purdue Pegboard Test, as a measure of executive function. Executive function refers to the ability to control thought processes and behaviours. For example, it is used to organise thoughts, plan activities and initiate goal-directed behaviour.