Before memory begins to decline, the brain may have revealed signs of trouble in an unexpected place: in the way you walk.
Many people assume walking more slowly or losing balance is simply part of aging, but neurologists say walking is one of the most complex tasks the brain performs and subtle changes in speed, balance, or coordination can sometimes appear years before memory problems become evident.
Dr. Hsieh Ping-Hsin, a neurosurgeon at National Chiao Tung University Hospital in Taiwan, told Epoch Times, “Walking is a mirror of brain health. Changes in walking style may even be among the earliest warning signs of several neurological diseases.”
Walking may seem automatic, but each step requires multiple brain regions to work together in fractions of a second. The brain continuously plans movement, maintains balance, monitors the surroundings, and adjusts body posture.
Different parts of the brain play roles in this work. The frontal lobe issues the command to take a step. The cerebellum adjusts the body’s center of gravity moment by moment. The parietal lobe perceives distances in the environment and the prefrontal cortex helps a person pay attention to obstacles and avoid falling. Dysfunction in any part of this system can slow walking speed.
With age, small strokes or degenerative nervous system diseases such as Parkinson’s and dementia, instability while walking may be among the first signs.
Five brain disorders that may first affect walking
1-Early stages of dementia
People with mild cognitive impairment sometimes begin to walk more slowly before their memory declines significantly. A 2023 study published in Scientific Reports examined the walking speed of nearly two thousand older adults and found that those with poorer cognitive performance walked more slowly in daily life. In some people with mild cognitive impairment, walking speed had decreased at specific times before a noticeable memory decline.
2-Parkinson’s disease
The brains of people with Parkinson’s gradually lose the ability to produce dopamine. As a result, steps may become shorter, the feet may drag on the ground when walking, and arm swing may decrease. Many people attribute these changes to aging and the opportunity for early diagnosis is lost.
3-Cerebral small vessel disease
Strokes in the small, deep vessels of the brain can affect neural pathways in the white matter. Disruption in signal transmission can make walking slow and unsteady. Because such a condition may not be accompanied by an obvious sign like one-sided paralysis, it is sometimes overlooked.
4-Normal pressure hydrocephalus
In this condition, cerebrospinal fluid accumulates excessively in the cavities within the brain, called ventricles, and affects the nerves that control walking. A person may develop “magnetic gait,” as if their feet are stuck to the ground and lifting them is difficult. Steps also become very short.
5-Chronic subdural hematoma or extra-dural hematoma
In some older adults, even a minor head injury can lead to bleeding. Blood can collect over several weeks under the dura mater, one of the brain’s protective layers, and put pressure on the brain. Instability when walking, drowsiness, slowed reactions, and weakness of one arm or leg are possible signs.
Dr. Hsieh says that in addition to diseases like dementia and Parkinson’s, chronic inflammation may also affect the brain and motor ability. Research has shown that older adults with higher levels of inflammatory markers in their blood generally walk more slowly and are at greater risk of future mobility problems.
She explains that mild, persistent inflammation may affect movement in several ways: damaging neurons and slowing signal transmission, harming white matter that carries motor signals, affecting dopamine and making movement initiation more difficult, and disrupting the timing of muscle contractions.
She says chronic factors associated with inflammation can include long-term sleep deprivation, metabolic syndrome, disruption of gut microbiota balance, and chronic psychological stress.
Five changes in walking that should not be ignored
Hsieh says slowing of walking usually does not occur suddenly and the following changes may be seen beforehand:
- Constantly looking at the ground while walking: This change may indicate reduced balance or difficulty perceiving body position relative to the environment.
- Taking more steps to turn: Instead of a smooth single movement to change direction, the person takes several small steps.
- Difficulty maintaining balance while walking and talking at the same time: This may indicate that performing two tasks at once has become harder for the brain.
- Noticeably shorter steps: Especially if this change is more apparent in the mornings or in unfamiliar environments.
- Asymmetry in arm movement: For example, one arm swings normally while the other swings less.
Hsieh recommends that if such signs are observed, especially after a head injury or a fall, the person should seek medical evaluation. Of course not all neurological diseases can be prevented, but measures that reduce inflammation and preserve brain function may help maintain mobility at older ages.
Nobusada Shinora, a neuroscience specialist, suggests consuming garlic oil for cognitive health. According to the article, a review in ACS Chemical Neuroscience noted the therapeutic potential of some garlic compounds, especially its sulfur compounds, in Parkinson’s disease. Shinora also stresses that one cannot rely on a single food to protect the brain. He recommends a diet including vegetables, whole grains, fermented foods, seafood, and mushrooms, and considers fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids beneficial.
In addition to diet, aerobic exercises such as tai chi and brisk walking are also recommended, and the intensity of exercise does not need to be very high.
Memory weakness is not always the first sign of a brain problem. Sometimes earlier clues can be seen in the steps. If you notice you are walking more slowly, your steps have become unusually short, turning is more difficult, or you lose your balance more often, do not simply attribute these changes to aging.