Study partner‐reported decline as a predictor of diagnostic progression in underrepresented populations in the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative cohort.

Background: It is imperative to identify underrepresented populations (URPs) at risk for progression to Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease (AD), yet substantial heterogeneity exists in the presentation and risk of AD among URPs. Previous research with predominantly non‐Latinx White participants indicates early functional decline is associated with increased risk and can be effectively evaluated by participants and study partners (SPs). This study aims to understand the association between subjective functional/cognitive decline and objectively‐measured cognitive decline in URPs.

Young Onset Neurocognitive Impairment, Amyloid Positivity, and Psychiatric Symptoms in Underrepresented Populations in the HABS‐HD Cohort.

Background: Adults from underrepresented populations (URPs), including non‐Latinx NLB (NLB) and Latinx adults, have higher Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (ADRD) rates than non‐Latinx Whites (NLWs). Young onset dementia is diagnosed when symptom onset occurs before age 65, and little is known about mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia rates in younger URPs. We examined neurocognitive diagnoses, amyloid positivity, and psychiatric symptoms in adults from URPs under 65.

The Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative-4 (ADNI-4) Engagement Core: A culturally informed, community-engaged research (CI-CER) model to advance brain health equity.

Introduction: The Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative-4 (ADNI-4) Engagement Core was launched to advance Alzheimer's disease (AD) and AD-related dementia (ADRD) health equity research in underrepresented populations (URPs). We describe our evidence-based, scalable culturally informed, community-engaged research (CI-CER) model and demonstrate its preliminary success in increasing URP enrollment.

Methods: URPs include ethnoculturally minoritized, lower education (≤ 12 years), and rural populations.

Regional White Matter Hyperintensities Relate to Specific Cognitive Abilities in Older Adults Without Dementia.

Introduction: White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are magnetic resonance imaging markers of small vessel cerebrovascular disease that are associated with cognitive decline and clinical Alzheimer disease. Previous studies have often focused on global or total WMH; less is known about associations of regional WMHs and cognitive abilities among older adults without dementia.

Methods: A total of 610 older adults with normal cognition (n=302) or mild cognitive impairment (n=308) from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative underwent neuropsychological testing and magnetic resonance imaging.

Greater accelerometer-measured physical activity is associated with better cognition and cerebrovascular health in older adults.

Objectives: Physical activity (PA) may help maintain brain structure and function in aging. Since the intensity of PA needed to effect cognition and cerebrovascular health remains unknown, we examined associations between PA and cognition, regional white matter hyperintensities (WMH), and regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) in older adults.

Method: Forty-three older adults without cognitive impairment underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and comprehensive neuropsychological assessment.

Increased regional white matter hyperintensity volume in objectively-defined subtle cognitive decline and mild cognitive impairment.

White matter hyperintensities (WMH), a marker of small vessel cerebrovascular disease, increase risk of developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Less is known about the extent and pattern of WMH in pre-MCI stages, such as among those with objectively-defined subtle cognitive decline (Obj-SCD). Five hundred and fifty-nine Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative participants (170 cognitively unimpaired [CU]; 83 Obj-SCD; 306 MCI) free of clinical dementia or stroke completed neuropsychological testing and MRI exams.