Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40911205›Full record

ArticleGeroScience2026

The association of thigh myosteatosis with lower cognitive function in older cancer survivors.

Brendan L McNeish, Brian Kunzer, Sarah G Bell, Caterina Rosano

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in GeroScience, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Brendan L McNeishDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. mcneishb@med.umich.edu.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8285-168X
Brian KunzerDepartment of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Sarah G BellDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Caterina RosanoDepartment of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

Funding

VARIABILITY, STABILITY & SMOOTHNESS OF WALKINGP30AG024827 · NIA · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · PI JENNIFER S BRACH · 2004 to 2026
$28.6M
NIA NIH HHS P30 AG024827NIA NIH HHS P30AG024827
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionCancer is associated with accelerated aging, including changes in muscle composition and cognition. However, the relationship between myosteatosis and cognitive function has not been investigated in older cancer survivors. This study evaluated the association between myosteatosis and cognitive function in this population.

methodsThe sample included 75 cancer survivors (age 76-85; 65% men; 31% Black; 41% prostate cancer; 21% breast cancer) from the Health ABC study who developed cancer within the first five years, completed CT imaging at Year 6, and cognitive testing at Year 10. Thigh intermuscular fat area (myosteatosis) was measured by CT at Year 6. Cognitive function was assessed using the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) and Modified Mini-Mental Status Exam (3MS) at Years 5 and 10. Multivariable models adjusted for demographics, education, cognitive function, and thigh muscle area at Year 5. Sensitivity analyses adjusted for leg strength, race, dementia risk factors, BMI, abdominal visceral fat, and thigh subcutaneous fat. LASSO regression identified key predictors of DSST and 3MS scores.

resultsGreater thigh myosteatosis at Year 6 was associated with lower DSST (B =  - 0.212, p < 0.05) and 3MS (B =  - 0.145, p < 0.05) scores at Year 10. Associations remained significant after adjustment for strength, dementia risk, and adiposity. LASSO identified race, education, Year 5 cognition, and myosteatosis as key predictors for DSST as well as thigh muscle area and physical activity for 3MS. DISCUSSION: Thigh myosteatosis is independently associated with lower cognitive performance in older cancer survivors and may represent a rehabilitation target to improve cognitive outcomes.

Indexed as

Cancer SurvivorsCognitionCognitive DysfunctionMuscle, SkeletalAgedAged, 80 and overFemaleHumansMaleThighTomography, X-Ray ComputedCancer survivorCognitive functionMuscle-brain crosstalkMyosteatosisRehabilitation

Identifiers

PMID40911205
PMCPMC13356165

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.