Differential Impact of Stroke on Cognitive Impairment in Mexican Americans and Non-Hispanic White Americans.

Background: The association between stroke and dementia is well established. Less is known about this association in underrepresented ethnic groups. In a large ethnically diverse cohort, we examined whether history of stroke was associated with cognitive impairment, and whether this relationship differed by ethnicity (Mexican American [MA] versus non-Hispanic White).

Neighborhood SES and Cognitive Function Among Hispanic/Latinx Residents: Why Where You Live Matters.

Introduction: Few studies have examined the impacts of neighborhood SES and individual ethnicity and SES characteristics on cognitive function in aging populations. Hispanics/Latinx are more likely to have cognitive impairment and be community dwellers than non-Hispanic Whites. Neighborhood factors can have greater impacts on the relationship between Hispanics/Latinx and cognitive function.

Mexican Americans Participate in Research More than Expected while non-Hispanic Whites Participate Less than Expected.

Objective: To identify Hispanic/Latinx and non Hispanic White participation rates in a community-based project using door-to-door recruitment.

Methods: We conducted a two-stage area probability sample of housing units in Nueces County, Texas, using Census data including Mexican Americans (MAs) and non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs). From May 2018-February 2020, residents over 64 were asked to take a cognitive screen.

Lack of Any Caregiving for Those with Dementia.

Older adults with significant cognitive impairment require help with activities of daily living. The BASIC-Cognitive Project, set in Nueces County, Texas, is a community-based study examining trends in cognition among Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic Whites. Using cross-sectional data from a cohort study, we found that at least 7% of individuals aged 65 and older with a Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score of < 20 (or < 15 for telephone MoCA), did not receive any caregiving help.

Differential Relationships Between the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Informant-Rated Cognitive Decline Among Mexican Americans and Non-Hispanic Whites.

Objectives: We compared the concurrent validity of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) with other cognitive screening instruments among Mexican Americans (MA) and non-Hispanic whites (NHW).

Methods: In a community-based study in Nueces county, Texas (5/2/18-2/26/20), participants 65+ with MoCA ≤25 completed the Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol. Regressions examined associations between MoCA and: 1) Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE); 2) abbreviated Community Screening Interview for Dementia (CSI-D); 3) Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE).

Dementia care needs for individuals and caregivers among Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic Whites.

Mexican Americans (MA) are more likely to have cognitive impairment and dementia (CID), be diagnosed at an earlier age and live with CID longer, compared to non-Hispanic Whites (NHW). While studies have examined unmet needs of individuals with CID and their caregivers, few have focused on MA populations in the U.S.

Bilingualism, assessment language, and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment in Mexican Americans.

Background/objectives: Assessment of cognition in linguistically diverse aging populations is a growing need. Bilingualism may complicate cognitive measurement precision, and bilingualism may vary across Hispanic/Latinx sub-populations. We examined the association among bilingualism, assessment language, and cognitive screening performance in a primarily non-immigrant Mexican American community.

Neuropsychological assessment of mild cognitive impairment in Latinx adults: A scoping review.

Latinx populations are rapidly growing and aging in the United States. There is a critical need to accurately and efficiently detect those at risk for dementia, particularly those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). MCI diagnosis often relies on neuropsychological assessment, although cultural, demographic, and linguistic characteristics may impact test scores.

Methods and Early Recruitment of a Community-Based Study of Cognitive Impairment Among Mexican Americans and Non-Hispanic Whites: The BASIC-Cognitive Study.

Background: As the Mexican American (MA) population grows and ages, there is an urgent need to estimate the prevalence of cognitive impairment or dementia (CID), cognitive trajectories, and identify community resource needs. The Brain Attack Surveillance in Corpus Christi (BASIC)-Cognitive project is a population-based study to address these issues among older MAs and non-Hispanic whites (NHW) and their informal care providers.

Objective: Present the methodology and initial recruitment findings for the BASIC-Cognitive project.

Role of neurologists and diagnostic tests on the management of distal symmetric polyneuropathy.

Importance: Distal symmetric polyneuropathy (DSP) is a prevalent condition that results in high costs from diagnostic testing. However, the role of neurologists and diagnostic tests in patient care is unknown.

Objective: To determine how often neurologists and diagnostic tests influence the diagnosis and management of DSP in a community setting.

Capturing cases of distal symmetric polyneuropathy in a community.

Introduction: Little is known about what constitutes appropriate diagnostic testing in patients with distal symmetric polyneuropathy (DSP).

Methods: Utilizing an ICD-9 screening method and medical record abstraction, we determined the number of new cases of DSP within community neurology practices in Nueces County, Texas. We then compared 2 case capture methods (ICD-9 vs.