Research agenda for understanding Alzheimer disease in diverse populations: work group on cultural diversity, Alzheimer's association.

Abstract

The emerging evidence of ethnic variations in apolipoprotein polymorphism and Alzheimer disease risk shows that one cannot generalize findings based on a single cultural group too broadly ( Tang et al., 2001). Presence of one apolipoprotein E epsilon 4 allele is a stronger risk factor for Alzheimer disease in whites and Asians than in blacks ( Farrer et al., 1997). Environmental or genetic cofactors may modulate the effects of epsilon 4 on beta-amyloid metabolism differently in different subpopulations ( Shadlen, 1998). Recognizing this, the Alzheimer's Association has extended its goals to strengthen the scientific information base on the interactions of population diversity and Alzheimer disease heterogeneity ( NIA, 1998). This new focus is timely since minority elderly are the most rapidly increasing segment of the elderly population ( Lilienfeld and Perl, 1994, Brookmeyer et al., 1998). In this article, the authors highlight recent progress in research on Alzheimer disease among culturally diverse populations with a special emphasis on gaps in the knowledge base. The authors recommend four priorities for future Alzheimer disease research: (1) determine whether genetic causative factors interact differently in different populations; (2) reexamine the nature and role of cerebral ischemia and infarction and variations in symptom severity of Alzheimer disease; (3) explore the interaction of genes and environmental influences that are protective against Alzheimer disease; and (4) recruit and enroll ethnically diverse subjects in Alzheimer disease clinical trials.

• Authors: Marie-Florence Shadlen, Wayne C McCormick, Eric B Larson
• Journal: Alzheimer disease and associated disorders (Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord) Vol. 16 Suppl 2 Pg. S96-S100 ( 2002) ISSN: 0893-0341 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12351923 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., Review)

Topics

• Aged
• Alzheimer Disease (ethnology)
• Brain Ischemia (complications)
• Clinical Trials as Topic
• Cultural Diversity
• Environment
• Genetic Predisposition to Disease
• Geriatric Assessment
• Humans
• Middle Aged
• Patient Selection
• Research Design
• Risk Factors
• Severity of Illness Index