Natascha Merten

INTRODUCTION We aimed to assess whether midlife sensory and motor functions improve risk prediction of 10‐year cognitive decline and impairment when added to risk prediction models using the Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging, and Incidence of Dementia Score (CAIDE) and Framingham Risk Score (FRS). METHODS Longitudinal data of N = 1529 (mean age 49 years; 54% women) Beaver Dam Offspring Study (BOSS) participants from baseline, 5 and 10‐year follow‐up were included. We tested whether including baseline sensory (hearing, vision, olfactory) impairment and motor function improves CAIDE or FRS risk predictions of 10‐year cognitive decline or cognitive impairment incidence using logistic regressions. RESULTS Adding sensory and motor measures to CAIDE‐only and FRS‐only models significantly improved areas under the curve for cognitive decline and impairment models. DISCUSSION Including midlife sensory and motor function improved risk predictions of long‐term cognitive decline and impairment in middle‐aged to older adults. Sensory and motor assessments could contribute to cost‐effective and non‐invasive screening tools that identify high‐risk individuals earlier to target intervention and prevention strategies. Highlights Sensory and motor measures improve risk prediction models of cognitive decline. Sensory and motor measures improve risk prediction models of cognitive impairment. Prediction improvements were strongest in midlife (adults < 55 years of age). Sensory and motor changes may help identify high‐risk individuals early.