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Signs of dementia and stroke risk appear in middle age

02/21/12

According to recent research, tests that evaluate walking speed and hand grip strength may be able to help doctors decide how likely it is for a middle-aged adult to develop dementia or stroke.

The results of the research will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 64th Annual Meeting in New Orleans from April 21 to 28.

The study included more than 2,400 men and women with an average age of 62, who underwent tests for walking speed, hand grip strength and cognitive functions. The results revealed that people with a slower walking speed in middle ages were one-and-a-half times more likely to develop dementia.

Participants who showed a stronger hand grip were associated with having a 42 percent lower risk of stroke or a transient ischemic attack.

"While frailty and lower physical performance in elderly people have been associated with an increased risk of dementia, we weren't sure until now how it impacted people of middle age," said Erica Camargo, researcher from the Boston Medical Center.

According to a study from the National Institute of Health, about 3.4 million Americans aged 71 and older have dementia, which might lead more adults to secure life insurance to prepare for unexpected circumstances in the future.

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