Longevity in the South Carolina Alzheimer's disease registry.

Background: South Carolina has arguably the most robust Alzheimer's Registry in the United States. For enhanced planning in both clinical practice and research and better utilization of the Registry data, it is important to understand survival after Registry entry. To this end, we conducted exploratory analyses to examine the patterns of longevity/survival in the South Carolina Alzheimer's Disease Registry.

Physical activity initiated from midlife on risk of dementia and cognitive impairment: The Health and Retirement Study.

Background: Physical activity is associated with lower risk of dementia and cognitive impairment, but existing randomized controlled trials have shown conflicting results. As cognitive decline occurs decades before the onset of dementia, physical activity interventions initiated in late life may have missed the potential window for prevention. An ideal trial of physical activity initiated from midlife and lasts till incident dementia and cognitive impairment in late life is not feasible.

Features of the Physical and Social Neighborhood Environment and Neighborhood-Level Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia in South Carolina.

Background: Studies are increasingly examining the relationship between the neighborhood environment and cognitive decline; yet, few have investigated associations between multiple neighborhood features and Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD).

Objective: We investigated the relationship between neighborhood features and ADRD cumulative incidence from 2010 to 2014 in the South Carolina Alzheimer's Disease Registry (SCADR).

Methods: Diagnosed ADRD cases of age were ascertained from the SCADR by ZIP code and census tract.

Health disparities in mortality among individuals with HIV-associated dementia in South Carolina.

HIV disproportionately affects the South compared to other regions of the US. Some people living with HIV (PLWH) may acquire HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND), of which HIV-associated dementia (HAD) is the most severe form. This study aimed to examine the disparities in mortality among individuals with HAD.

Neighborhood characteristics and dementia symptomology among community-dwelling older adults with Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPSs) lead to myriad poor health outcomes among individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Prior studies have observed associations between the various aspects of the home environment and NPSs, but macro-level environmental stressors (e.g.

Lessons Learned in Implementing an Aging Research Training Program for Underrepresented Minority Students.

This brief report provides an overview of lessons learned through evaluation of the first five years of the NIA-funded South Carolina-Advancing Diversity in Aging Research (SC-ADAR) undergraduate program, whose goal is to increase the number of qualified underrepresented minority (URM) students who pursue scientific graduate studies in programs focusing on medicine, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and aging. Partnering with five Historically Black Colleges and Universities in South Carolina, we implemented a research training approach that included two consecutive summers of research training in a University of South Carolina faculty laboratory, as part of a comprehensive 24-month research education program. In addition to the mentored research experience in a laboratory, students had coursework in the biology of aging and social gerontology, with additional workshops tailored to emergent student needs including basic academic skills development, work-life management skills, reflective social experiences, and enhanced support in the transition from undergraduate to graduate school.

Neighborhood Characteristics and the Mental Health of Caregivers Cohabiting with Care Recipients Diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease.

While studies have documented the influence of caregiver and care recipient factors on caregiver health, it is important to address the potential impact of neighborhood contexts. This study estimated the cross-sectional associations between neighborhood characteristics and mental health among caregivers cohabiting with Alzheimer's disease care recipients that were experiencing severe or non-severe neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPSs) (e.g.

Mentorship and Training to Increase Diversity of Researchers and Practitioners in the Field of Aging and Alzheimer's Disease: A Scoping Review of Program Characteristics.

Diversity is needed within the aging and Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) research and practice workforce to comprehensively address health inequities faced by underrepresented minority (URM) older adults. We conducted a scoping review of training programs designed to diversify the pool of researchers and practitioners in the field of aging and ADRD. Online database searches yielded 3976 articles published from 1999 to 2019.

Knowledge evaluation instruments for dementia caregiver education programs: A scoping review.

With the increase in our older adult population, there is a need for dementia training for informal and formal dementia caregivers. The objective of this scoping study is to assess dementia knowledge instruments utilized in educational programs and interventions intended for formal and informal dementia caregivers. Scoping review methodology was used to search PubMed, PsycInfo, CINAHL and Web of Science with tailored database search terms.

Weight Status and Sedentary Behavior of Alzheimer's Disease Caregivers.

In this study, we sought to characterize the weight status, sedentary behavior, and physical activity of caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease. In 2014, we surveyed caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease from the South Carolina Alzheimer's Disease Registry (N = 47) about their personal health behaviors. Additionally, a subset of individuals (N = 14) wore an accelerometer for 7 days.