Diagnosis and assessment of Alzheimer's disease in diverse populations

A think tank, “Diagnosis and Assessment of Alzheimer’s Disease in Diverse Populations,” was convened by the Social, Behavioral and Diversity Research Workgroup (see Appendix) of the Alzheimer’s Association in 2007 in Chicago, Illinois. Thirty researchers and clinicians from various disciplines and backgrounds attended the think tank meeting. The goal of the think tank was to discuss how Alzheimer’s disease (AD) affects various communities differently and how its diagnosis and treatment present challenges specific to certain population groups. Other goals of the think tank included identifying ways of collaborating with diverse populations to develop better diagnostic and assessment tools and presenting new findings to inform diagnosing and assessing dementia across racial, ethnic, economic, and social groups. Presentations included topics related to diagnosis and assessment in diverse populations, factors affecting measurement issues in assessment and diagnosis, implications of the clinical assessment in diverse populations, and the role of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and behavior in AD assessment and diagnosis. Additional information was presented on the development of the National Institutes of Health initiative called the NIH Toolbox for Assessment of Neurological and Behavioral Function. This think tank is one of several planned activities held by the Social, Behavioral and Diversity Research Workgroup of the Alzheimer’s Association. The goal of the Workgroup is to address and help reduce health disparities in the diagnosis, assessment, treatment, and care of those with AD in diverse populations. The mission is to also expand research that addresses AD in diverse populations.