Frontotemporal dementia in Hispanic populations: Regional and national comparisons

Although Hispanic/Latine populations experience higher dementia rates, they remain underrepresented in frontotemporal dementia (FTD) research. This study examines clinical manifestations of FTD within a South Texas Hispanic/Latine cohort compared to national data.

Participants diagnosed with FTD were included from (1) our FTD clinic, the South Texas Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, and local Advancing Research and Treatment in Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration-Longitudinal Evaluation of Familial Frontotemporal Dementia Subjects Longitudinal Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration cohort (Hispanic: n = 17; White non-Hispanic: n = 22), and (2) the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center dataset (Hispanic: n = 24; White non-Hispanic: n = 407; National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health Grant U24 AG072122). Clinical, neuroimaging, and neuropsychological data were harmonized for cross-cohort comparisons.

Hispanic participants presented with more movement-related symptoms and advanced cognitive impairment at diagnosis than non-Hispanic Whites. Diagnostic delays averaged 4 years from symptom onset. Educational disparities significantly contributed to health-care access differences.

Findings underscore diagnostic severity and systemic barriers faced by Hispanic populations with FTD, emphasizing the need for culturally sensitive diagnostic tools and interventions for equitable dementia care.