Claudene J George1, Joe Verghese2, Meltem Izzetoglu3, Cuiling Wang4, Roee Holtzer5. 1. Montefiore Medical Center, Division of Geriatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 East 210th Street, Bronx, NY 10467, USA. Electronic address: clgeorge@montefiore.org. 2. Division of Cognitive & Motor Aging and Geriatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1225 Morris Park Avenue, Van Etten Building 308, Bronx, NY 10461, USA. Electronic address: Joe.verghese@einstein.yu.edu. 3. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Villanova University, 800 E. Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, PA 19085, USA. Electronic address: meltem.izzetoglu@villanova.edu. 4. Department of Epidemiology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Block Room 314, Bronx, NY 10461, USA. Electronic address: cuiling.wang@einstein.yu.edu. 5. Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology and Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University, NY 1046, USA. Electronic address: roee.holtzer@einstein.yu.edu.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Polypharmacy, defined as the use of 5 or more medications is associated with multiple adverse outcomes in older adults, including falls and slow gait velocity. However, the relationship between polypharmacy and cortical control of locomotion has not been reported. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between polypharmacy and activation patterns in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), a brain region involved in higher order control of locomotion during attention-demanding conditions. METHODS: Using Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) to quantify PFC oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2) levels, we performed a cross sectional analysis of 325 community dwelling adults age ≥65 years, and examined HbO2 levels during single tasks (Single-Task-Walk (STW), (talking, cognitive interference (Alpha)) and Dual-Task Walk (DTW)). RESULTS: The prevalence of polypharmacy was 33% (n = 104) amongst the 325 participants (mean age 76.4 ± 6.7 years, 56% women). Among the 221 participants with no polypharmacy there was an increase in HbO2 levels from STW to DTW (estimate = -0.625; p = <0.001) and from Alpha to DTW (estimate=-0.079; p = 0.031). Polypharmacy status, however, moderated the change in HbO2 levels comparing the two single tasks to the dual-task walking condition. Specifically, the presence of polypharmacy was associated with an attenuated increase in HbO2 levels from STW to DTW (estimate = 0.149; p = 0.027) and with a decline in HbO2 levels from Alpha to DTW (estimate = 0.169; p = 0.009) after adjustments for potential confounders including medical comorbidities and the use of high-risk medications. CONCLUSION: The results of this study further support the need for clinicians to reduce polypharmacy in older adults, given its significant association with the PFC hemodynamic response during attention-demanding locomotion.
INTRODUCTION: Polypharmacy, defined as the use of 5 or more medications is associated with multiple adverse outcomes in older adults, including falls and slow gait velocity. However, the relationship between polypharmacy and cortical control of locomotion has not been reported. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between polypharmacy and activation patterns in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), a brain region involved in higher order control of locomotion during attention-demanding conditions. METHODS: Using Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) to quantify PFC oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2) levels, we performed a cross sectional analysis of 325 community dwelling adults age ≥65 years, and examined HbO2 levels during single tasks (Single-Task-Walk (STW), (talking, cognitive interference (Alpha)) and Dual-Task Walk (DTW)). RESULTS: The prevalence of polypharmacy was 33% (n = 104) amongst the 325 participants (mean age 76.4 ± 6.7 years, 56% women). Among the 221 participants with no polypharmacy there was an increase in HbO2 levels from STW to DTW (estimate = -0.625; p = <0.001) and from Alpha to DTW (estimate=-0.079; p = 0.031). Polypharmacy status, however, moderated the change in HbO2 levels comparing the two single tasks to the dual-task walking condition. Specifically, the presence of polypharmacy was associated with an attenuated increase in HbO2 levels from STW to DTW (estimate = 0.149; p = 0.027) and with a decline in HbO2 levels from Alpha to DTW (estimate = 0.169; p = 0.009) after adjustments for potential confounders including medical comorbidities and the use of high-risk medications. CONCLUSION: The results of this study further support the need for clinicians to reduce polypharmacy in older adults, given its significant association with the PFC hemodynamic response during attention-demanding locomotion.
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