The purpose of this study is to better understand how physical characteristics, walking patterns, and a blood-based brain health marker differ between older adults with dementia and healthy older adults.
Dementia is often associated with changes in physical health and movement, but these changes are not fully understood. This study asks whether people with dementia show differences in body composition, walking ability, and levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein involved in brain function, compared with individuals without dementia.
To answer this question, participants will complete a single assessment session that includes basic physical measurements, an assessment of walking while moving at a comfortable pace, and a small blood sample collection. The information collected will be used to compare the two groups and explore possible relationships between physical function, walking patterns, and BDNF levels.