Lower Alzheimer’s amyloid levels in Black and Latinx adults

A nationwide study finds that Black and Latinx adults with cognitive impairment are less likely to have Alzheimer’s-linked amyloid buildup, even as they face higher rates of dementia, raising urgent questions about diagnosis, treatment access, and the future of dementia care.

Study: Differences in amyloid PET positivity based on ethnoracial group and social determinants of health: The new IDEAS study. Image credit: PeopleImages/Shutterstock.com

A study published in the journal Alzheimer’s and Dementia reveals ethnoracial variations in amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) positivity among older adults with cognitive impairment.

The global prevalence of Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD) is rapidly increasing, with more than 10 million new dementia cases occurring each year worldwide. The prevalence is particularly high in developing countries, where about 60 % of people living with dementia currently reside, and this percentage is expected to reach 70 % by 2050.