LAUSR

INTRODUCTION Gait speed is slower in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) compared to cognitively healthy individuals (CHI). We examined the patterns of brain gray matter (GM) volume association and covariance with gait speed in CHI and in patients with MCI. METHODS A total of 96 CHI and 99 patients with MCI were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Brain GM volumes measured with voxel-based morphometry and self-paced gait speed were used as outcomes. RESULTS The right middle frontal and precentral gyri volumes were positively associated with gait speed in CHI and covariated with frontal cortex. Striatum (i.e. left putamen and bilateral caudate nuclei) volumes were positively associated with gait speed in patients with MCI and covariated with striatal structures. CONCLUSIONS Two different patterns of brain GM volume association and covariance with gait speed were found and involving frontal cortex in CHI and the striatum in patients with MCI.