Estimating presymptomatic episodic memory impairment using simple hand movement tests: A cross‐sectional study of a large sample of older adults

Abstract

AbstractINTRODUCTIONFinding low‐cost methods to detect early‐stage Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a research priority for neuroprotective drug development. Presymptomatic Alzheimer's is associated with gait impairment but hand motor tests, which are more accessible, have hardly been investigated. This study evaluated how home‐based Tasmanian (TAS) Test keyboard tapping tests predict episodic memory performance.METHODS1169 community participants (65.8 ± 7.4 years old; 73% female) without cognitive symptoms completed online single‐key and alternate‐key tapping tests and episodic memory, working memory, and executive function cognitive tests.RESULTSAll single‐key (R2adj = 8.8%, ΔAIC = 5.2) and alternate‐key (R2adj = 9.1%, ΔAIC = 8.8) motor features predicted episodic memory performance relative to demographic and mood confounders only (R2adj = 8.1%). No tapping features improved estimation of working memory.DISCUSSIONBrief self‐administered online hand movement tests predict asymptomatic episodic memory impairment. This provides a potential low‐cost home‐based method for stratification of enriched cohorts.Highlights We devised two brief online keyboard tapping tests to assess hand motor function. 1169 cognitively asymptomatic adults completed motor‐ and cognitive tests online. Impaired hand motor function predicted reduced episodic memory performance. This brief self‐administered test may aid stratification of community cohorts.