高齢者における歩行速度・動作機動性と前頭葉機能との関連について

抄録

To address the question whether age-related decline is an independent phenomenon or an interrelated phenomenon between cognitive and motor functions, the behavioral test (Digit Cancellation Test: D-CAT) that addresses the frontal lobe function and mobility performance test (WS: walking speed and TUG: timed up and go) were administered to 240 (108 Men and 132 Women) healthy community dwelling upper-middle and elderly people, and the possible mutual relationship was examined. Participants were divided into two groups by median based on the results of motor function test and the results of cognitive function test were compared. The group with superior motor function in WS and TUG showed superior results in cognitive function test. These results suggest that the motor system loop and the cognitive system loop that compose the basal ganglia network may be interrelated in association with each other as they age. The results of this study provide a scientific basis for strategies that use vestibular function and basal ganglia network as a means to slow down the rate of age-related decline in cognitive function in elderly people.