Alzheimer's Society comment on the link between muscle strength and Alzheimer's

Published 10 November 2009

Lack of muscle strength could be one of the early signs of dementia according to a study published on Monday, 9 November 2009 in Archives of Neurology.

Researchers at Rush University Medical Center, Chicago discussed whether muscle weakness may be an independent risk factor for Alzheimer's or whether it may be directly caused by some of the changes in the brain that start many years before the dementia symptoms become apparent. Less likely, lack of muscle strength and associated metabolism could be a contributing factor to the development of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's Society comment:

'In Alzheimer's disease, changes in the brain begin many years before a person begins to develop symptoms of dementia. This study provides a statistical link between weak muscles and increased risk of dementia. Observation of increasing muscle weakness may serve as one of the indicators that could alert GPs to the need for a cognitive assessment.

'More research is needed before we can fully understand what causes dementia. One million people will develop dementia in the next ten years. We must act now.'

Dr Susanne Sorensen
Head of Research
Alzheimer's Society

Ref Boyle et al. 'Association of Muscle Strength with the Risk of Alzheimer Disease and the Rate of Cognitive Decline in Community-Dwelling Older Persons' Archives of Neurology Volume 66 (No.11), Nov 2009.