Strategies for recruiting diverse young adults into aging research.

Background: In aging research, there is an increasing focus on the decades leading up to changes in cognition. Biomarker studies have suggested that biochemical brain fluctuations can occur up to 20 years prior to clinical symptoms. Including populations of adults who are 20 years away from any cognitive symptomatology in aging research can shed a light on the longitudinal factors involved in brain aging.

Examining the Associations of Social Support on Later‐life Cognition in the Health and Aging Brain Study‐Health Disparities (HABS‐HD) Cohort.

Background: Social support has been associated with a reduced risk of heart disease and stroke, higher cognitive function, less cognitive decline, and resilience to stress. Notably, social support differs by gender and race/ethnicity. However, it is not clear whether these factors modify the relationship between social support and cognition.

Association of Multimorbidity and Plasma Biomarkers of Alzheimer’s Disease: The HABS‐HD Study.

Background: Multimorbidity, known as the coexistence of two or more chronic conditions in the same individual, is prevalent among older adults and has been linked to an increased risk of dementia. Yet, little is known about its relationship with plasma Alzheimer’s disease (AD) biomarkers, especially in diverse populations. In the Health and Aging Brain Study: Health Disparities (HABS‐HD), we investigated the association of multimorbidity burden and plasma AD biomarkers.

Metabolic syndrome severity score associates with structural brain features and functional connectivity of Default Mode Network subsystems in the HABS‐HD study.

Background: States of altered metabolic health such as metabolic syndrome (MetS), obesity, and insulin resistance increase Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) risk. Individuals with these conditions, like those with AD, have demonstrated changes in the structural and functional features of the Default Mode Network (DMN). Here, we characterize associations between systemic metabolic dysfunction, brain structure (Cortical Thickness and Hippocampal Volume) and functional connectivity of DMN subnetworks.

Metabolic syndrome severity score associates with structural brain features and functional connectivity of Default Mode Network subsystems in the HABS‐HD study.

Background: States of altered metabolic health such as metabolic syndrome (MetS), obesity, and insulin resistance increase Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) risk. Individuals with these conditions, like those with AD, have demonstrated changes in the structural and functional features of the Default Mode Network (DMN). Here, we characterize associations between systemic metabolic dysfunction, brain structure (Cortical Thickness and Hippocampal Volume) and functional connectivity of DMN subnetworks.

Alzheimer's disease plasma biomarkers and physical functioning in a diverse sample of adults.

Introduction: The relationship between Alzheimer's disease (AD) plasma biomarkers, and physical functioning (PF) across diverse races and ethnicities remains unclear. This study aims to explore this association in an ethno-racially diverse sample of cognitively unimpaired community-dwelling adults.

Methods: Data clinical examinations, neuropsychological tests, blood draws, and PF exams (Timed Up and Go [TUG] and Short Physical Performance Battery [SPPB]) were analyzed.

The Association of Neighborhood Socioeconomic Status with Executive Function and Processing Speed in Cognitively Normal Mexican American Elders from the Health and Aging Brains Study: Health Disparities Cohort.

Introduction: Neighborhood socioeconomic status (NSES) has been linked with overall health, and this study will evaluate whether NSES is cross-sectionally associated with cognition in non-Hispanic whites (NHWs) and Mexican Americans (MAs) from the Health and Aging Brain: Health Disparities Study (HABS-HD).

Methods: The HABS-HD is a longitudinal study conducted at the University of North Texas Health Science Center. The final sample analyzed (n = 1,312) were 50 years or older, with unimpaired cognition, and underwent an interview, neuropsychological examination, imaging, and blood draw.

Precision Medicine for Preventing Alzheimer's Disease: Analysis of the ADAPT Study.

Background: The Alzheimer's Disease Anti-inflammatory Prevention Trial (ADAPT) was the first-ever large-scale anti-inflammatory prevention trial targeting Alzheimer's disease.

Objective: The overall goal of this study was to evaluate predictive blood biomarker profiles that identified individuals most likely to be responders on NSAID treatment or placebo at 12 and 24 months.

Methods: Baseline (n = 193) and 12-month (n = 562) plasma samples were assayed.

Association of cardiovascular risk factors and blood biomarkers with cognition: The HABS-HD study.

Introduction: To determine if cardiovascular risk factor (CVRF) burden is associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarkers and whether they synergistically associate with cognition.

Methods: We cross-sectionally studied 1521 non-demented Mexican American (52%) and non-Hispanic White individuals aged ≥50 years. A composite score was calculated by averaging the z-scores of five cognitive tests.

Characterization of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia among Community-Dwelling Mexican Americans and Non-Hispanic Whites.

Background: Despite tremendous advancements in the field, our understanding of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) among Mexican Americans remains limited.

Objective: The aim of this study was to characterize MCI and dementia among Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic whites.

Methods: Baseline data were analyzed from n = 1,705 (n = 890 Mexican American; n = 815 non-Hispanic white) participants enrolled in the Health and Aging Brain Study-Health Disparities (HABS-HD).

Depression is differentially related to cognitive and biomarker outcomes among Mexican Americans.

Introduction: Despite tremendous advancements in the research of Alzheimer's disease (AD), Mexican Americans, who reflect 65% of the US Hispanic community, remain severely underrepresented in research. Our data demonstrate that risk factors for, and biomarkers of, AD are different among Mexican Americans as compared with non-Hispanic whites. Here, we examined the impact of depressive symptoms on cognitive and AD-relevant biomarker outcomes among the Mexican Americans.

Plasma Biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease Are Associated with Physical Functioning Outcomes Among Cognitively Normal Adults in the Multiethnic HABS-HD Cohort.

In this study, we examined the link between plasma Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarkers and physical functioning outcomes within a community-dwelling, multiethnic cohort. Data from 1 328 cognitively unimpaired participants (n = 659 Mexican American and n = 669 non-Hispanic White) from the ongoing Health & Aging Brain Study-Health Disparities (HABS-HD) cohort were examined. Plasma AD biomarkers (amyloid beta [Aβ]40, Aβ42, total tau [t-tau], and neurofilament light chain [NfL]) were assayed using the ultra-sensitive Simoa platform.

Medical comorbidities and ethnicity impact plasma Alzheimer's disease biomarkers: Important considerations for clinical trials and practice.

Introduction: Despite the clinical implementation, there remain significant gaps in our knowledge regarding the impact of race/ethnicity or common medical comorbidity on plasma Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarkers.

Methods: Plasma biomarkers of amyloid beta (Aβ) Aβ , total tau, and neurofilament light chain (NfL) were measured across cognitively normal Mexican Americans (n = 445) and non-Hispanic Whites (n = 520).

Results: Dyslipidemia was associated with elevated Aβ (P = .

Vascular risk profile and white matter hyperintensity volume among Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic Whites: The HABLE study.

Introduction: Among vascular risk factors we hypothesized that an increased prevalence of diabetes in Hispanics would be associated with greater white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume, which may contribute to cognitive decline.

Methods: A total of 1318 participants (60% female; 49% Hispanic, 51% non-Hispanic White; age 66.2 ± 8.

The Link between APOE4 Presence and Neuropsychological Test Performance among Mexican Americans and Non-Hispanic Whites of the Multiethnic Health & Aging Brain Study - Health Disparities Cohort.

Introduction: The APOEε4 allele is the single strongest genetic risk for late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD). Prior work demonstrates that not only the APOEε4 allele varies by race/ethnicity but also the risk for AD and cognitive impairment conveyed by the APOEε4 allele varies by the racial/ethnic group as well as genetic ancestry. Here, we sought to examine the link between the APOEε4 and neuropsychological functioning among Mexican Americans (MAs).

Proteomic Profiles of Neurodegeneration Among Mexican Americans and Non-Hispanic Whites in the HABS-HD Study.

Background: Hispanics are expected to experience the largest increase in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and AD related dementias over the next several decades. However, few studies have examined biomarkers of AD among Mexican Americans, the largest segment of the U.S.

Neurodegeneration from the AT(N) framework is different among Mexican Americans compared to non-Hispanic Whites: A Health & Aging Brain among Latino Elders (HABLE) Study.

Introduction: We sought to examine a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based marker of neurodegeneration from the AT(N) (amyloid/tau/neurodegeneration) framework among a multi-ethnic, community-dwelling cohort.

Methods: Community-dwelling Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic White adults and elders were recruited. All participants underwent comprehensive assessments including an interview, functional exam, clinical labs, informant interview, neuropsychological testing and 3T MRI of the brain.

Chromosome-Scale Genome Assembly of Gilia yorkii Enables Genetic Mapping of Floral Traits in an Interspecies Cross.

Substantial morphological variation in land plants remains inaccessible to genetic analysis because current models lack variation in important ecological and agronomic traits. The genus Gilia was historically a model for biosystematics studies and includes variation in morphological traits that are poorly understood at the genetic level. We assembled a chromosome-scale reference genome of G.

Using Fractional Anisotropy Imaging to Detect Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease among Mexican Americans and Non-Hispanic Whites: A HABLE Study.

Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most frequently occurring neurodegenerative disease; however, little work has been conducted examining biomarkers of AD among Mexican Americans. Here, we examined diffusion tensor MRI marker profiles for detecting mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia in a multi-ethnic cohort.

Methods: 3T MRI measures of fractional anisotropy (FA) were examined among 1,636 participants of the ongoing community-based Health & Aging Brain among Latino Elders (HABLE) community-based study (Mexican American n = 851; non-Hispanic white n = 785).

The Health & Aging Brain among Latino Elders (HABLE) study methods and participant characteristics.

Introduction: Mexican Americans remain severely underrepresented in Alzheimer's disease (AD) research. The Health & Aging Brain among Latino Elders (HABLE) study was created to fill important gaps in the existing literature.

Methods: Community-dwelling Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic White adults and elders (age 50 and above) were recruited.

A blood screening tool for detecting mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease among community-dwelling Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic Whites: A method for increasing representation of diverse populations in clinical research.

Introduction: Representation of Mexican Americans in Alzheimer's disease (AD) clinical research has been extremely poor.

Methods: Data were examined from the ongoing community-based, multi-ethnic Health & Aging Brain among Latino Elders (HABLE) study. Participants underwent functional exams, clinical labs, neuropsychological testing, and 3T magnetic resonance imaging of the brain.

Relationship of Neurofilament Light (NfL) and Cognitive Performance in a Sample of Mexican Americans with Normal Cognition, Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia.

Introduction: This study characterized the relationship between plasma NfL and cognition in a community-based sample of older Mexican Americans.

Methods: 544 participants completed a battery of neuropsychological tests and were diagnosed using clinical criteria. NfL was assayed using Simoa.

Community-Based Eye Health Screening Study in the Elderly Hispanic Population in North Texas.

The Hispanic population is underserved and underrepresented in health care. Epidemiological studies are cmcial for providing insight to identify disparities and unmet eye health needs in this vulnerable group. The purpose of our study is to examine the prevalence of ocular conditions in the elderly Hispanic population in North Texas and identify the frequency in which these conditions were undiagnosed.

The impact of comorbid depression-diabetes on proteomic outcomes among community-dwelling Mexican Americans with mild cognitive impairment.

Background: Mexican Americans suffer from a disproportionate burden of modifiable risk factors, which may contribute to the health disparities in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Objective: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the impact of comorbid depression and diabetes on proteomic outcomes among community-dwelling Mexican American adults and elders.

Methods: Data from participants enrolled in the Health and Aging Brain among Latino Elders study was utilized.

Potential two-step proteomic signature for Parkinson's disease: Pilot analysis in the Harvard Biomarkers Study.

Introduction: We sought to determine if our previously validated proteomic profile for detecting Alzheimer's disease would detect Parkinson's disease (PD) and distinguish PD from other neurodegenerative diseases.

Methods: Plasma samples were assayed from 150 patients of the Harvard Biomarkers Study (PD, n = 50; other neurodegenerative diseases, n = 50; healthy controls, n = 50) using electrochemiluminescence and Simoa platforms.

Results: The first step proteomic profile distinguished neurodegenerative diseases from controls with a diagnostic accuracy of 0.