Canadian researchers are the first to study how different patterns in the way older adults walk could more accurately diagnose different types of dementia and identify Alzheimer's disease.

Research shows that analyzing walking patterns can detect early signs of neurological disorders, orthopedic issues, and even cognitive decline.

Analyzing stride-to-stride fluctuations in someone's walking pattern may be a novel way to test for cognitive decline in older adults, a new study suggests.

After evaluating four independent gait patterns (pace, postural control, rhythm, and variability) among 500 clinical trial participants from the different "cognitive spectrum" cohorts listed above ...

But people vary in how they walk, even if they’re healthy. A very tall person might have different gait patterns than someone shorter. Age, activity level, and body shape also play roles.

Experts believe a different gait pattern could potentially be a 'game changer' for autism diagnosis, particularly in young children, because it can be observed early and objectively.