Black participants in Alzheimer’s disease research studies were 35% less likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and related dementias than white participants, despite national statistics that indicate that Black Americans are overall about twice as likely to have dementia as whites.
The research team, led by the NIA Intramural Research Program, tracked 15 years of data on Black and white study participants from across NIA’s network of Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers. They also found that Black study participants with Alzheimer’s and related dementias had more risk factors for the disease. In addition, Black participants had greater cognitive impairment and symptom severity than white participants.
The researchers see this study as further evidence for addressing racial disparities in Alzheimer’s and related dementias treatment, especially to avoid delayed diagnoses.
Read more about this research study.
