Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41499306›Full record

Observational studyAlzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association2026

Preserved muscle function as a protective factor against cognitive decline: Longitudinal results from the FINGER study.

Miguel German Borda, Jenni Lehtisalo, Kevin O' Hara-Veintimilla, Robinson RamírezVélez, Felipe BoteroRodriguez, Jonathan PatricioBaldera, Tiia Ngandu, Alina Solomon, Francesca Mangialasche, Mario Ulises Pérez-Zepeda and 3 more

Abstract readObservational Study
In one paragraph

Observational study in Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing 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

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Article
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

13 authors.

Miguel German BordaDepartment of Neurology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain.
Jenni LehtisaloDepartment of Public Health, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland.
Kevin O' Hara-VeintimillaPsychogeriatric Unit, Clínica Josefina Arregui, Alsasua, Navarra, Spain.
Robinson RamírezVélezNavarrabiomed, Institute for Health Research of Navarra (IDISNA), Hospital Universitario de Navarra (HUN), Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA), Pamplona, Spain.
Felipe BoteroRodriguezCentre for Age-Related Medicine (SESAM), Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.
Jonathan PatricioBalderaCentre for Age-Related Medicine (SESAM), Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.
Tiia NganduCentre for Age-Related Medicine (SESAM), Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.
Alina SolomonCentre for Age-Related Medicine (SESAM), Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.
Francesca MangialascheCentre for Age-Related Medicine (SESAM), Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.
Mario Ulises Pérez-ZepedaDirección de Investigación, Instituto Nacional de Geriatría, Ciudad de México, México.
Dag AarslandCentre for Age-Related Medicine (SESAM), Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.
Miia KivipeltoDepartment of Public Health, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland.
NJ FINGER

Funding

FP7 Ideas: European Research Council project number 119886.Nasjonalforeningen for Folkehelsen N/ANordic-Japan multidomain interventions for healthy aging and prevention of dementia and disability 119886
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionMuscular function is essential for healthy aging. This study examined the relationship between baseline muscle condition and changes in cognitive performance over 2 years.

methodsWe conducted an observational analysis of longitudinal data from the control arm of the Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (FINGER) randomized controlled trial (n = 583). Baseline physical performance was assessed using gait speed, grip strength, and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Logistic regression models analyzed associations between baseline physical performance and changes in standardized cognitive scores after 2 years.

resultsMean age was 68.6 years. Higher baseline chair stand performance, SPPB scores, and grip strength were significantly associated with more favorable 2-year trajectories in global cognition, memory, and executive function (p < 0.05), particularly for memory. Gait speed showed no significant associations.

conclusionBetter initial physical condition is linked to more favorable cognitive evolution, independent of other factors. This highlights the connection between physical and cognitive health, supporting comprehensive preventive strategies for older adults. HIGHLIGHTS: Stronger muscles are linked to slower cognitive decline before it begins. Better performance of muscular function protects against cognitive impairment in aging. Intervening muscle health impacts brain health in aging.

Indexed as

AgingCognitive DysfunctionHand StrengthMuscle, SkeletalAgedCognitionFemaleFinlandHumansLongitudinal StudiesMaleMiddle AgedNeuropsychological TestsRandomized Controlled Trials as Topiccognitioncognitive dysfunctionmuscle strengthprimary prevention

Identifiers

PMID41499306
PMCPMC12998250

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
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.