ASSOCIATION OF GAIT AND BALANCE WITH INCIDENCE OF DEMENTIA IN A POPULATION OF MILDLY COGNITIVELY IMPAIRED PATIENTS: THE CANTON TICINO STUDY

fractional shortening (hazard ratio (HR) per SD increase 0.82; 95% CI 0.70-0.96), mitral valve inflow peak A (HR: 1.27 (1.08-1.48)), E/A ratio (HR: 0.80 (0.67-0.95)), and mitral valve inflow deceleration time (HR: 1.24 (1.06-1.44)). For dementia, we found associations with mitral valve inflow peak E (HR: 0.83 (0.73-0.94)), E/A-ratio (HR: 0.81 (0.69-0.94)), and mitral valve inflow deceleration time (HR: 1.17 (1.03-1.34)). Importantly, results were similar forAD, even after censoring for stroke. These associations survived multiple testing correction. Conclusions: In elderly persons free of clinical heart disease, an impaired cardiacfunction is associated with the risk of stroke and dementia. Importantly, the risk for dementia and AD was increased independent from stroke. These findings suggest improvement of cardiac function as potentially modifiable target for prevention of dementia. This study highlights the heart-brain connection in the development of dementia. Funding was obtained through the Netherlands Heart Foundation 2012T008.