Motoric cognitive risk (MCR), a syndrome combining measured slow gait speed and self-reported cognitive complaints.

It may be associated with dementia and other major causes of morbidity in older age.

Researchers in Edinburgh studied the data of almost 50,000 people aged 60 years and older with MCR across 15 studies.

The diagnostic is relatively easy: a participant met the criteria for MCR if they walked significantly slower than people of a similar age and sex, and had noticed issues with their memory.

Researchers found that people with MCR were more than twice as likely to develop dementia as well as their mortality risk was 49% higher and the risk of falls was 38% greater than people without MCR,