A sensorimotor function construct to assess mild cognitive impairment risk

INTRODUCTION: Identifying precursors to mild cognitive impairment (MCI)—the transitional stage between unimpaired cognition and dementia—is a public health priority. While sensory and motor impairments are each linked to MCI, their integrated contribution as a sensorimotor construct remains underexplored. METHODS: We analyzed cross-sectional data from two US cohorts: Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC; n = 880) and Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA; n = 681), excluding individuals with stroke, Parkinson's disease, or dementia. A composite sensorimotor score—based on hearing, vision, olfaction, balance, gait speed, and grip strength—was created using factor analysis. Structural equation modeling assessed associations with MCI, adjusting for key covariates. RESULTS: Higher sensorimotor function was associated with lower odds of MCI: ARIC odds ratio (OR) = 0.53 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.40–0.71); BLSA OR = 0.59 (95% CI: 0.43–0.81). DISCUSSION: Sensorimotor function appears robustly related with MCI in a large sample of older adults. These findings highlight the potential value of incorporating sensorimotor assessments in early detection for cognitive decline. Longitudinal research is needed to understand temporality.