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Gender differences in decreased ambulation and balance associated with Alzheimer's Disease

This is a preliminary report on the effects of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) on motor function, a less‐studied effect of this debilitating disease. We analyzed gait characteristics using the Gaitrite system (n=10 F, n=7 M) and balance using the BioSway (n=4 F, n=4 M) along with a standard timed Get‐Up‐And‐Go (GG) test (n=10 F, n=9 M). All participants (aged 81.2±6.6 years) were clinically diagnosed with AD. Our results reveal that men performed significantly better than women in the GG (14.71±8.74 s vs. 32.15±18.33 s respectively, p<0.02). There were no gender differences in stride length (left leg vs. right leg p=0.06 and p=0.07 respectively) and single leg support time (left vs. right leg p=0.74 and p=0.55 respectively). Further, there were no gender differences in medial/lateral (p=0.76) or anterior/posterior balance (p=0.96). Our results indicate that men and women exhibit similar declines in ambulatory performance with AD. We are investigating whether gender differences may be attributable to muscle mass, prior levels of activity, and progressive stage of the disease.