Is cognitive function a double-edged sword when it comes to falls among older adults

Among older adults and people with neurological diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, cognitive impairments and gait alterations are common. These deficits often impact quality of life, mobility, and functional independence and increase the risk
of developing dementia and of falls, a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Interestingly, while in the past, these problems were studied and generally treated separately, it is now clear that motor-cognitive interactions play a large role in fall risk.
Emerging evidence indicates that non-invasive brain stimulation can be used to augment dual-task walking abilities, reduce fall risk, and enhance cognitive function. This talk will briefly review the evidence regarding motor-cognitive interactions in aging
and describe results that demonstrate that non-invasive brain stimulation can be used to promote resilience and enhance gait and cognitive function. These findings support a growing body of evidence that suggests that, even in the presence of aging and
neurodegeneration, fall risk can be lowered and cognitive function can be improved.