Ethnicity moderates dementia's biomarkers
Donald R Royall1, Raymond F Palmer2
1Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA Department of Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA Department of Family and Community Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA South Texas Veterans' Health System, Audie L. Murphy Division, GRECC, San Antonio, TX, USA.
Journal of Alzheimer'S Disease : JAD
|August 1, 2014
Summary
This study developed a new measure for dementia-related cognitive decline, finding it links to biomarkers, but these connections differ between Hispanic Mexican-Americans and Non-Hispanic Whites.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomarkers
- Alzheimer's Disease Research
Background:
- Previous research linked cognitive performance variance (δ) to serum biomarkers in Alzheimer's disease (AD).
- The prior measure (δ) lacked cross-ethnic factor equivalence, limiting its use in diverse populations.
- Understanding ethnic variations in AD pathogenesis is crucial for equitable healthcare.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a dementia-relevant cognitive performance measure (d(=)) with cross-ethnic equivalence.
- To investigate the association of this new measure with established serum biomarkers.
- To explore potential cross-ethnic differences in dementia pathobiology.
Main Methods:
- Employed structural equation models to create a new cognitive performance measure, d(=).
- Ensured d(=) exhibited mean and factor equivalence across ethnic groups.
- Examined associations between d(=) and twelve previously identified serum biomarkers in an Alzheimer's cohort.
Main Results:
- The novel measure d(=) demonstrated mean and factor equivalence across ethnicities.
- d(=) was significantly associated with ten of the twelve previously studied biomarkers.
- Most biomarker associations with d(=) were specific to Non-Hispanic White participants.
Conclusions:
- The newly developed measure, d(=), shows promise for cross-ethnic dementia research.
- Findings suggest potential ethnic differences in the pathobiological mechanisms of dementia between Hispanic Mexican-Americans and Non-Hispanic Whites.
- Further validation in diverse cohorts is necessary to confirm these cross-ethnic observations.
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