A cognitive screening program in community-based medical clinics to facilitate Latino participation in Alzheimer's disease research

Relatively low rates of Latino participation in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) research makes it difficult to determine whether identified disease mechanisms, risk factors, or novel treatments generalize to this population.

We introduced ADRD research opportunities through a model cognitive screening program in primary care and neurology specialty care clinics in areas with high proportions of Latino residents.

Out of 523 Latino adults (mean age = 72.1 years, mean education = 6.8 years, 62.1% female, 88.1% tested in Spanish), 520 allowed the use of screening data for research, and high percentages agreed to a research registry with contact about ADRD research opportunities (primary care: 91.9%, neurology: 86.6%). Registrants supported 368 referrals to 45 studies (21% successfully recruited). Thirty-one individuals participated in ≥1 study, producing 79 enrollments across 15 ADRD studies.

Results demonstrate that combining a needed clinical service with recruitment efforts can enhance participation of older Latino adults in ADRD research.