Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40579790›Full record

ArticleAlzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association2025

Gait variability as a marker of white matter integrity in individuals with Down syndrome.

Elizabeth M Leach, David K Powell, Amanda C Glueck, Elizabeth Head, Moaz W Ibrahim, Amelia J Anderson-Mooney, Kathryn L Van Pelt, Jordan P Harp, Frederick A Schmitt, Ahmed A Bahrani

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Gait variability as a marker of white matter integrity in individuals with Down syndrome.Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association · 2025
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Elizabeth M LeachSanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
David K PowellDepartment of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Amanda C GlueckDepartment of Neurology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Elizabeth HeadDepartment of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Irvine School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, California, USA.
Moaz W IbrahimSanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Amelia J Anderson-MooneyDepartment of Neurology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Kathryn L Van PeltSanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Jordan P HarpDepartment of Neurology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Frederick A SchmittKentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of Pikeville, Pikeville, Kentucky, USA.
Ahmed A BahraniKentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of Pikeville, Pikeville, Kentucky, USA.

Funding

Project 3: Biomarkers for DS Clinical TrialsU19AG068054 · NIA · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · PI CHRISTIAN, BRADLEY T, HANDEN, BENJAMIN L · 2020 to 2025
$103.7M
University of Kentucky Alzheimer's Disease Research CenterP30AG072946 · NIA · UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY · PI LINDA J VAN ELDIK · 2021 to 2026
$23.5M
Aging of Frontal Structure and Function in Down Syndrome and DementiaR01HD064993 · NICHD · UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY · PI HEAD, ELIZABETH, SCHMITT, FREDERICK · 2009 to 2019
$5.1M
NIA NIH HHS P30 AG072946NIA NIH HHS U19 AG068054NICHD NIH HHS R01 HD064993NIH HHS R01-HD064993
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionIndividuals with Down syndrome (DS) face a significant risk of neurodegeneration, and gait variability may serve as a clinical biomarker of neurological health. This longitudinal parent substudy aimed to explore relationships between gait, white matter (WM) integrity, and cognitive function in DS.

methodsThe associations were investigated between magnetic resonance imaging diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), cognition, and self-paced gait data from 22 DS participants (mean age ± SD 37 ± 7.5 years).

resultsDTI measures, such as lower fractional anisotropy (FA) and higher mean diffusivity, were correlated with greater step time variability but not normalized velocities. Lower cognitive scores on the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Composite, Dementia Questionnaire for People with Learning Disabilities, and Motor Skill subscale were correlated with FA. DISCUSSION: Gait variability correlates with WM integrity and cognitive function in DS, suggesting that gait and DTI measures may serve as clinical markers of neurological decline. HIGHLIGHTS: Gait variability linked to white matter integrity in individuals with Down syndrome (DS). Lower fractional anisotropy and higher mean diffusivity are associated with increased step time variability in DS. Cognitive decline is tied to white matter changes in motor-related brain regions. Gait analysis alongside diffusion tensor imaging may aid in screening for cognitive impairment in DS.

Indexed as

Down SyndromeGaitWhite MatterAdultAnisotropyBiomarkersCognitionCognitive DysfunctionDiffusion Tensor ImagingFemaleHumansLongitudinal StudiesMaleMiddle AgedNeuropsychological TestsBiomarkersamyloid betadementiaDTIgross motor skillsMRItrisomy 21

Identifiers

PMID40579790
PMCPMC12205008

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.