Examining Additional Attributes of Muscle Function for Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults - Handgrip strength (HGS) is collected in clinical and research settings as a feasible and reliable strength capacity measurement that generalizes to muscle function. Although low HGS is a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease related-dementias (AD/ADRD), concerns still exist regarding the completeness of HGS as a muscle function measurement because strength capacity is a single attribute. Long-standing HGS protocol guidelines focus exclusively on collecting maximal grip force from a single hand, thereby overlooking other important functional aspects such as rate of force development, strength asymmetry between limbs, bilateral coordination, submaximal force control, fatigability, and contractile steadiness. These additional muscle function attributes, which are anticipated to be more sensitive in identifying cognitive impairment, can be conveniently collected with electronic handgrip dynamometry and accelerometry. The novel collection of these muscle aspects serves as an efficient clinical solution to examining muscle function comprehensively, which will uncover new clinical warning signs for AD/ADRD that were previously unconsidered. Intervention referrals may similarly benefit from targeting specific muscle function attributes that are amenable to change for cognitive function, thereby fostering improved patient care through precision health. Discoveries to combat the detrimental impacts of AD/ADRD are urgently needed given that AD/ADRD is a leading cause of mortality that is projected to rapidly increase in prevalence. This R15 renewal overall seeks to advance muscle function measurements with electronic handgrip dynamometry and accelerometry for cognitive function by pursuing the following Aims: 1) identify the extent to which inclusion of rate of force development, asymmetry, bilateral coordination, submaximal control, fatigability, and contractile steadiness alongside maximal HGS and the other onset dementia candidate variables better determine the presence of a cognitive impairment than maximal HGS alone in older adults, 2) best predict cognitive impairment from maximal HGS, rate of force development, asymmetry, bilateral coordination, submaximal control, fatigability, contractile steadiness, and the other onset dementia candidate variables in older adults, and 3) strengthen the research environment in the College of Health and Human Sciences at North Dakota State University. We expect that previously uncollected muscle function attributes will be revealed to better predict cognitive impairment than maximal HGS alone, which will guide workable dementia prevention and treatment strategies. Such advancements in strategies will help to inflect the striking AD/ADRD trajectories downward, which may aid in extending independence and longevity during aging. This R15 renewal will likewise elevate the research environment at the eligible institution for performing a meritorious investigation with students so that they gain direct exposure in conducting research for aging and health.
