Gait and cognition: The impact of executive function.

Summary Until recently gait has been considered as an automated motor activity independent from cognitive function. However, recent arguments suggest a strong link between gait and cognition, in particular in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. Executive functions seem to play a central role in these gait disorders due to deficits in cognition. The purpose of this article is to discuss the relationship between gait and cognition and the specific impact of executive function by reviewing the type of gait disorders observed in some frequent neurodegenerative and non degenerative disorders mainly affecting cognitive function. The potential contribution of some rehabilitation techniques and pharmacological treatments in improving gait disorders related to impaired cognitive function is discussed. The clinical implications of the relationship between gait and cognition are that gait assessment should be considered as a part of the routine assessment of cognitive function and conversely, cognitive function and specifically executive function should be assessed in patients with gait disorders.

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