Approved Research

Investigating the pathophysiological mechanism and genetic basis of gait pattern changes in older adults

Lay summary

This research project aims to understand why older adults have trouble moving around by studying their genes and environment. The study will use data from a UK database and measure how people walk in their daily life using a special wrist sensor. The study hopes to find out how genes and environment affect the way people walk and develop a score to measure it.

This study could help us understand how genes and environment affect mobility as people age. This could help us design better cities that make it easier for people to walk, which could prevent chronic diseases. The study could also improve the quality of life for older people and benefit communities and the economy. The study covers three areas: genes, technology, and statistics, and its findings could have a big impact on many fields. The anticipated duration of this project is three years.

Scope extension, June 2024:

The research aims to investigate the relationship between genetic and environmental factors on mobility declines in older adults and the pathophysiological mechanisms that mediate this relationship. Specifically, the study aims to validate the correlation between brain abnormality, systemic inflammation, non-communicable disorders, and mobility declines. Furthermore, the study aims to develop definitive models for the polygenic influence on daily gait and a mediation model that considers the polygenetic basis, environmental factors, anatomical changes of the brain, systemic inflammation, noncommunicable disorders, and gait. These findings will contribute to a better understanding of the complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors in mobility declines among older adults.

Our research aims to add the content of brain imaging, blood, and neural biomarkers to clarify the underlying mechanism between mobility declines and chronic pain/cognitive impairment.