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Suchy‐Dicey AM, Domoto‐Reilly K, Nelson L, Jayadev S, Buchwald DS, Grabowski TJ, Rhoads K. Epidemiology and prevalence of dementia and Alzheimer's disease in American Indians: Data from the Strong Heart Study. Alzheimers Dement 2024; 20:4174-4184. [PMID: 38747387 PMCID: PMC11180871 DOI: 10.1002/alz.13849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Accurate epidemiologic estimates for dementia are lacking for American Indians, despite substantive social and health disparities. METHODS The Strong Heart Study, a population-based cohort of 11 American Indian tribes, conducted detailed cognitive testing and examinations over two visits approximately 7 years apart. An expert panel reviewed case materials for consensus adjudication of cognitive status (intact; mild cognitive impairment [MCI]; dementia; other impaired/not MCI) and probable etiology (Alzheimer's disease [AD], vascular bain injury [VBI], traumatic brain injury [TBI], other). RESULTS American Indians aged 70-95 years had 54% cognitive impairment including 10% dementia. VBI and AD were primary etiology approximately equal proportions (>40%). Apolipoprotein (APO) Eε4 carriers were more common among those with dementia (p = 0.040). Plasma pTau, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and neurofilament light chain (NfL) were higher among those with cognitive impairment, but not amyloid beta (Aβ). Cognitive intact had mean 3MSE 92.2 (SD 6.4) and mean Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score of 21.3 (SD 3.2). DISCUSSION This is the first population-based study to estimate the prevalence of vascular and Alzheimer's dementias in a population-based study of American Indians. HIGHLIGHTS The Strong Heart Study is a population-based cohort of American Indian tribes, conducted over 30+ years and three US geographic regions (Northern Plains, Southern Plains, Southwest). Our teams conducted detailed cognitive testing, neurological examination, and brain imaging over two visits approximately 7 years apart. An expert panel reviewed collected materials for consensus-based adjudication of cognitive status (intact; MCI; dementia; other impaired/not MCI) and probable underlying etiology (AD; VBI; TBI; other). In this cohort of American Indians aged 70-95, 54% were adjudicated with cognitive impairment, including approximately 35% MCI and 10% dementia. These data expand on prior reports from studies using electronic health records, which had suggested prevalence, and incidence of dementia in American Indians to be more comparable to the majority population or non-Hispanic White individuals, perhaps due to latent case undercounts in clinical settings. Vascular and neurodegenerative injuries were approximately equally responsible for cognitive impairment, suggesting that reduction of cardiovascular disease is needed for primary prevention. Traumatic injury was more prevalent than in other populations, and common among those in the "other/not MCI" cognitive impairment category. Mean scores for common dementia screening instruments-even among those adjudicated as unimpaired-were relatively low compared to other populations (mean unimpaired 3MSE 92.2, SD 6.4; mean unimpaired MoCA 21.3, SD 3.2), suggesting the need for cultural and environmental adaptation of common screening and evaluation instruments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid M. Suchy‐Dicey
- Huntington Medical Research InstitutesPasadenaCaliforniaUSA
- Washington State University Elson S Floyd College of MedicineSeattleWashingtonUSA
| | | | - Lonnie Nelson
- Washington State University College of NursingSpokaneWashingtonUSA
| | - Suman Jayadev
- University of Washington School of MedicineSeattleWashingtonUSA
| | - Dedra S. Buchwald
- Washington State University Elson S Floyd College of MedicineSeattleWashingtonUSA
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Suchy-Dicey AM, Vo TT, Oziel K, King R, Barbosa-Leiker C, Rhoads K, Verney S, Buchwald DS, French BF. Psychometric Properties of Controlled Oral Word Association (COWA) Test and Associations With Education and Bilingualism in American Indian Adults: The Strong Heart Study. Assessment 2024; 31:745-757. [PMID: 37338127 PMCID: PMC10840386 DOI: 10.1177/10731911231180127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
The Controlled Oral Word Association (COWA) test is used to assess phonemic fluency and executive function. Formal validation of test scores is important for accurate cognitive evaluation. However, there is a dearth of psychometric validation among American Indian adults. Given high burden of dementia risk and key contextual factors associated with cognitive assessments, this represents a critical oversight. In a large, longitudinal population-based cohort study of adult American Indians, we examined several validity inferences for COWA, including scoring, generalization, and extrapolation inferences, by investigation of factor structure, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and differential test functioning. We found adequate unidimensional model fit, with high factor loadings. Internal consistency reliability and test-retest reliability were 0.88 and 0.77, respectively, for the full group. COWA scores were lowest among the oldest, lowest education, bilingual speakers; group effects for sex and bilingual status were small; age effect was medium; and education effect was largest. However, Wide Range Achievement Test (WRAT) score effect was stronger than education effect, suggesting better contextualization may be needed. These results support interpretation of total COWA score, including across sex, age, or language use strata.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thao T. Vo
- Washington State University, Seattle, USA
| | - Kyra Oziel
- Washington State University, Seattle, USA
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Nguyen HXT, Bradley K, McNamara BJ, Watson R, Malay R, LoGiudice D. Risk, protective, and biomarkers of dementia in Indigenous peoples: A systematic review. Alzheimers Dement 2024; 20:563-592. [PMID: 37746888 PMCID: PMC10917055 DOI: 10.1002/alz.13458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Dementia is an emergent health priority for Indigenous peoples worldwide, yet little is known about disease drivers and protective factors. METHODS Database searches were conducted in March 2022 to identify original publications on risk, protective, genetic, neuroradiological, and biological factors related to dementia and cognitive impairment involving Indigenous peoples. RESULTS Modifiable risk factors featured across multiple studies include childhood adversity, hearing loss, low education attainment, unskilled work history, stroke, head injury, epilepsy, diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, depression, low BMI, poor mobility, and continence issues. Non-modifiable risk factors included increasing age, sex, and genetic polymorphisms. Education, ex-smoking, physical and social activity, and engagement with cultural or religious practices were highlighted as potential protective factors. There is a paucity of research on dementia biomarkers involving Indigenous peoples. DISCUSSION Greater understanding of modifiable factors and biomarkers of dementia can assist in strength-based models to promote healthy ageing and cognition for Indigenous peoples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huong X. T. Nguyen
- Department of MedicineRoyal Melbourne HospitalMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Department of Population Health and ImmunityWalter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Kate Bradley
- Department of MedicineRoyal Melbourne HospitalMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Bridgette J. McNamara
- Centre for Epidemiology and BiostatisticsUniversity of MelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Barwon South‐West Public Health UnitBarwon HealthGeelongVictoriaAustralia
| | - Rosie Watson
- Department of MedicineRoyal Melbourne HospitalMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Department of Population Health and ImmunityWalter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Roslyn Malay
- Western Australian Centre for Health and AgeingUniversity of Western AustraliaPerthWAAustralia
| | - Dina LoGiudice
- Department of MedicineRoyal Melbourne HospitalMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
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Lim AC, Barnes LL, Weissberger GH, Lamar M, Nguyen AL, Fenton L, Herrera J, Han SD. Quantification of race/ethnicity representation in Alzheimer's disease neuroimaging research in the USA: a systematic review. COMMUNICATIONS MEDICINE 2023; 3:101. [PMID: 37491471 PMCID: PMC10368705 DOI: 10.1038/s43856-023-00333-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Racial and ethnic minoritized groups are disproportionately at risk for Alzheimer's Disease (AD), but are not sufficiently recruited in AD neuroimaging research in the United States. This is important as sample composition impacts generalizability of findings, biomarker cutoffs, and treatment effects. No studies have quantified the breadth of race/ethnicity representation in the AD literature. METHODS This review identified median race/ethnicity composition of AD neuroimaging US-based research samples available as free full-text articles on PubMed. Two types of published studies were analyzed: studies that directly report race/ethnicity data (i.e., direct studies), and studies that do not report race/ethnicity but used data from a cohort study/database that does report this information (i.e., indirect studies). RESULTS Direct studies (n = 719) have median representation of 88.9% white or 87.4% Non-Hispanic white, 7.3% Black/African American, and 3.4% Hispanic/Latino ethnicity, with 0% Asian American, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and American Indian/Alaska Native, Multiracial, and Other Race participants. Cohort studies/databases (n = 44) from which indirect studies (n = 1745) derived are more diverse, with median representation of 84.2% white, 83.7% Non-Hispanic white, 11.6% Black/African American, 4.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.75% Asian American participants. Notably, 94% of indirect studies derive from just 10 cohort studies/databases. Comparisons of two time periods using a median split for publication year, 1994-2017 and 2018-2022, indicate that sample diversity has improved recently, particularly for Black/African American participants (3.39% from 1994-2017 and 8.29% from 2018-2022). CONCLUSIONS There is still underrepresentation of all minoritized groups relative to Census data, especially for Hispanic/Latino and Asian American individuals. The AD neuroimaging literature will benefit from increased representative recruitment of ethnic/racial minorities. More transparent reporting of race/ethnicity data is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron C Lim
- Department of Family Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Alhambra, CA, USA
| | - Lisa L Barnes
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Gali H Weissberger
- The Interdisciplinary Department of Social Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Raman Gat, Israel
| | - Melissa Lamar
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Annie L Nguyen
- Department of Family Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Alhambra, CA, USA
| | - Laura Fenton
- Department of Psychology, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer Herrera
- Department of Family Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Alhambra, CA, USA
| | - S Duke Han
- Department of Family Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Alhambra, CA, USA.
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Department of Psychology, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- USC School of Gerontology, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Suchy-Dicey A, Su Y, Buchwald DS, Manson SM, Reiman EM. Volume atrophy in medial temporal cortex and verbal memory scores in American Indians: Data from the Strong Heart Study. Alzheimers Dement 2023; 19:2298-2306. [PMID: 36453775 PMCID: PMC10232670 DOI: 10.1002/alz.12889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Distinguishing Alzheimer's disease (AD) patient subgroups may optimize positive clinical outcomes. Cortical atrophy is correlated with memory deficits, but these associations are understudied in American Indians. METHODS We collected imaging and cognition data in the Strong Heart Study (SHS), a cohort of 11 tribes across three regions. We processed 1.5T MRI using FreeSurfer and iterative principal component analysis. Linear mixed models estimated volumetric associations with diabetes. RESULTS Over mean 7 years follow-up (N = 818 age 65-89 years), overall volume loss was 0.5% per year. Significant losses associated with diabetes were especially strong in the right hemisphere. Annualized hippocampal, parahippocampal, entorhinal atrophy were worse for men, older age, diabetes, hypertension, stroke; and associated with both encoding and retrieval memory losses. DISCUSSION Our findings suggest that diabetes is an important risk factor in American Indians for cortical atrophy and memory loss. Future research should examine opportunities for primary prevention in this underserved population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid Suchy-Dicey
- Elson S Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington, USA
| | - Yi Su
- Banner Alzheimer's Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Dedra S Buchwald
- Elson S Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington, USA
| | - Spero M Manson
- Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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Mascarenhas Fonseca L, Sage Chaytor N, Olufadi Y, Buchwald D, Galvin JE, Schmitter-Edgecombe M, Suchy-Dicey A. Intraindividual Cognitive Variability and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Aging American Indians: Data from the Strong Heart Study. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 91:1395-1407. [PMID: 36641671 PMCID: PMC9974814 DOI: 10.3233/jad-220825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND American Indians have high prevalence of risk factors for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) compared to the general population, yet dementia onset and frequency in this population are understudied. Intraindividual cognitive variability (IICV), a measure of variability in neuropsychological test performance within a person at a single timepoint, may be a novel, noninvasive biomarker of neurodegeneration and early dementia. OBJECTIVE To characterize the cross-sectional associations between IICV and hippocampal, total brain volume, and white matter disease measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) among older American Indians. METHODS IICV measures for memory, executive function, and processing speed, and multidomain cognition were calculated for 746 American Indians (aged 64-95) who underwent MRI. Regression models were used to examine the associations of IICV score with hippocampal volume, total brain volume, and graded white matter disease, adjusting for age, sex, education, body mass index, intracranial volume, diabetes, stroke, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, alcohol use, and smoking. RESULTS Higher memory IICV measure was associated with lower hippocampal volume (Beta = -0.076; 95% CI -0.499, -0.023; p = 0.031). After adjustment for Bonferroni or IICV mean scores in the same tests, the associations were no longer significant. No IICV measures were associated with white matter disease or total brain volume. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that the IICV measures used in this research cannot be robustly associated with cross-sectional neuroimaging features; nonetheless, the results encourage future studies investigating the associations between IICV and other brain regions, as well as its utility in the prediction of neurodegeneration and dementia in American Indians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Mascarenhas Fonseca
- Elson S Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, United States
- Programa Terceira Idade (PROTER, Old Age Research Group), Department and Institute of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Naomi Sage Chaytor
- Elson S Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, United States
| | - Yunusa Olufadi
- Elson S Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, United States
| | - Dedra Buchwald
- Elson S Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, United States
- Institute for Research and Education to Advance Community Health, Washington State University, United States
| | - James E. Galvin
- Comprehensive Center for Brain Health, Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, United States
| | | | - Astrid Suchy-Dicey
- Elson S Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, United States
- Institute for Research and Education to Advance Community Health, Washington State University, United States
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Suchy-Dicey AM, Oziel K, Sawyer C, Olufadi Y, Ali T, Fretts AM, Umans JG, Shibata DK, Longstreth WT, Rhoads K, Buchwald DS, Grabowski TJ. Educational and Clinical Associations With Longitudinal Cognitive Function and Brain Imaging in American Indians: The Strong Heart Study. Neurology 2022; 99:e2637-e2647. [PMID: 36289000 PMCID: PMC9757873 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000201261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Little is known about incidence of vascular and Alzheimer dementias in American Indians. METHODS We conducted a large, heterogeneous, population-based, longitudinal cohort study of brain aging in community-dwelling American Indians aged 64-95 years from 11 tribes across 3 states, with neurologic examinations, 1.5T MRI, and extensive cognitive testing. Visit 1 in 2010-2013 (n = 817) and visit 2 in 2017-2019 (n = 403) included all willing, surviving participants. Standardized cognitive tests at both visits included Modified Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE), Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale digit symbol coding (WAIS), Controlled Oral Word Association (COWA), and California Verbal Learning Test short form (CVLT). Test materials added at follow-up included Wide Range Achievement (reading) Test (WRAT) and National Alzheimer Coordinating Center Uniform Data Set cognitive battery (v3 form C2), including Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). MRI neuroradiologists coded infarcts, hemorrhages, white matter hyperintensities, sulcal atrophy, and ventricle enlargement. RESULTS The mean time between examinations was 6.7 years (SD 1.1, range 3.8-9.1 years). Years of formal education had modest correlation with WRAT reading score (r = 0.45). Prevalence and incidence (respectively) of infarcts were 32% and 12.8/1,000 person-years (PYs) hemorrhages 6% and 4.4/1000 PY worsening sulci 74% and 19.0/1000 PY worsening ventricle 79% and 30.1/1000 PY worsening leukoaraiosis 44% and 26.1/1000 PY. Linear losses per year in cognitive scores were 0.6% MMSE, 1.2% WAIS, 0.6% COWA, and 2.2% CVLT. The mean MoCA scores were 18.9 (SD 4.3). DISCUSSION These are the first data on longitudinal cognitive and imaging changes in American Indians and first reports of Alzheimer disease-related features. The mean scores in MoCA were similar or lower than standard cutoffs used to diagnose dementia in other racial/ethnic groups, suggesting that standardized cognitive tests may not perform well in this population. Test validation, adaptation, and score adjustment are warranted. Years of education were a poor proxy for premorbid function, suggesting novel methods for cognitive score contextualization is also needed in this population. Evaluation of selective survival suggests attrition from death, and frailty should be accounted for in causal analyses. Overall, these data represent a unique opportunity to examine neurology topics of critical importance to an understudied population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid M Suchy-Dicey
- From the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine (A.M.S.-D., K.O., C.S., Y.O., D.S.B.), Washington State University, Spokane; Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center (T.A.), Oklahoma City; Epidemiology (A.M.F., M.D.J.), School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle; MedStar Health Research Institute (J.G.U.), Washington, DC; Neuroradiology (D.K.S.) and Neurology (M.D.J., K.R., T.J.G.), School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle.
| | - Kyra Oziel
- From the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine (A.M.S.-D., K.O., C.S., Y.O., D.S.B.), Washington State University, Spokane; Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center (T.A.), Oklahoma City; Epidemiology (A.M.F., M.D.J.), School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle; MedStar Health Research Institute (J.G.U.), Washington, DC; Neuroradiology (D.K.S.) and Neurology (M.D.J., K.R., T.J.G.), School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Charles Sawyer
- From the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine (A.M.S.-D., K.O., C.S., Y.O., D.S.B.), Washington State University, Spokane; Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center (T.A.), Oklahoma City; Epidemiology (A.M.F., M.D.J.), School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle; MedStar Health Research Institute (J.G.U.), Washington, DC; Neuroradiology (D.K.S.) and Neurology (M.D.J., K.R., T.J.G.), School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Yunusa Olufadi
- From the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine (A.M.S.-D., K.O., C.S., Y.O., D.S.B.), Washington State University, Spokane; Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center (T.A.), Oklahoma City; Epidemiology (A.M.F., M.D.J.), School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle; MedStar Health Research Institute (J.G.U.), Washington, DC; Neuroradiology (D.K.S.) and Neurology (M.D.J., K.R., T.J.G.), School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Tauqeer Ali
- From the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine (A.M.S.-D., K.O., C.S., Y.O., D.S.B.), Washington State University, Spokane; Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center (T.A.), Oklahoma City; Epidemiology (A.M.F., M.D.J.), School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle; MedStar Health Research Institute (J.G.U.), Washington, DC; Neuroradiology (D.K.S.) and Neurology (M.D.J., K.R., T.J.G.), School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Amanda M Fretts
- From the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine (A.M.S.-D., K.O., C.S., Y.O., D.S.B.), Washington State University, Spokane; Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center (T.A.), Oklahoma City; Epidemiology (A.M.F., M.D.J.), School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle; MedStar Health Research Institute (J.G.U.), Washington, DC; Neuroradiology (D.K.S.) and Neurology (M.D.J., K.R., T.J.G.), School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Jason G Umans
- From the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine (A.M.S.-D., K.O., C.S., Y.O., D.S.B.), Washington State University, Spokane; Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center (T.A.), Oklahoma City; Epidemiology (A.M.F., M.D.J.), School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle; MedStar Health Research Institute (J.G.U.), Washington, DC; Neuroradiology (D.K.S.) and Neurology (M.D.J., K.R., T.J.G.), School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Dean K Shibata
- From the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine (A.M.S.-D., K.O., C.S., Y.O., D.S.B.), Washington State University, Spokane; Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center (T.A.), Oklahoma City; Epidemiology (A.M.F., M.D.J.), School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle; MedStar Health Research Institute (J.G.U.), Washington, DC; Neuroradiology (D.K.S.) and Neurology (M.D.J., K.R., T.J.G.), School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle
| | - W T Longstreth
- From the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine (A.M.S.-D., K.O., C.S., Y.O., D.S.B.), Washington State University, Spokane; Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center (T.A.), Oklahoma City; Epidemiology (A.M.F., M.D.J.), School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle; MedStar Health Research Institute (J.G.U.), Washington, DC; Neuroradiology (D.K.S.) and Neurology (M.D.J., K.R., T.J.G.), School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Kristoffer Rhoads
- From the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine (A.M.S.-D., K.O., C.S., Y.O., D.S.B.), Washington State University, Spokane; Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center (T.A.), Oklahoma City; Epidemiology (A.M.F., M.D.J.), School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle; MedStar Health Research Institute (J.G.U.), Washington, DC; Neuroradiology (D.K.S.) and Neurology (M.D.J., K.R., T.J.G.), School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Dedra S Buchwald
- From the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine (A.M.S.-D., K.O., C.S., Y.O., D.S.B.), Washington State University, Spokane; Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center (T.A.), Oklahoma City; Epidemiology (A.M.F., M.D.J.), School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle; MedStar Health Research Institute (J.G.U.), Washington, DC; Neuroradiology (D.K.S.) and Neurology (M.D.J., K.R., T.J.G.), School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Thomas J Grabowski
- From the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine (A.M.S.-D., K.O., C.S., Y.O., D.S.B.), Washington State University, Spokane; Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center (T.A.), Oklahoma City; Epidemiology (A.M.F., M.D.J.), School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle; MedStar Health Research Institute (J.G.U.), Washington, DC; Neuroradiology (D.K.S.) and Neurology (M.D.J., K.R., T.J.G.), School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle
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Suchy-Dicey A, Howard B, Longstreth WT, Reiman EM, Buchwald D. APOE genotype, hippocampus, and cognitive markers of Alzheimer's disease in American Indians: Data from the Strong Heart Study. Alzheimers Dement 2022; 18:2518-2526. [PMID: 35142437 PMCID: PMC9363523 DOI: 10.1002/alz.12573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele confers higher risk of neurodegeneration and Alzheimer's disease (AD), but differs by race/ethnicity. We examined this association in American Indians. METHODS The Strong Heart Study is a population-based cohort of American Indians who were 64 to 95 years of age in 2010 to 2013. APOE ε4 status, brain imaging, and neuropsychological testing was collected in N = 811 individuals. Summary statistics, graphics, and generalized linear regressions-adjusted for sociodemographics, clinical features, and intracranial volume with bootstrap variance estimator-compared APOE ε4 carriers with non-carriers. RESULTS APOE ε4 carriers comprised 22% of the population (0.7% homozygotes). Participants were mean 73 years, 67% female, and 54% had some college education. The majority were obese (>50%), hypertensive (>80%), and diabetic (>50%). Neither imaging findings nor multidomain cognitive testing showed any substantive differences between APOE ε4 carriers and non-carriers. CONCLUSION We found no evidence of neurodegenerative risk from APOE ε4 in American Indians. Additional studies are needed to examine potential protective features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid Suchy-Dicey
- Washington State University Elson S Floyd College of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Barbara Howard
- MedStar Health Research Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - W T Longstreth
- University of Washington Neurology and Epidemiology Departments, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Dedra Buchwald
- Washington State University Elson S Floyd College of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Suchy-Dicey A, Eyituoyo H, O’Leary M, Cole SA, Traore A, Verney S, Howard B, Manson S, Buchwald D, Whitney P. Psychological and social support associations with mortality and cardiovascular disease in middle-aged American Indians: the Strong Heart Study. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2022; 57:1421-1433. [PMID: 35157091 PMCID: PMC9247016 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-022-02237-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Our study examined psychosocial risk and protective features affecting cardiovascular and mortality disparities in American Indians, including stress, anger, cynicism, trauma, depression, quality of life, and social support. METHODS The Strong Heart Family Study cohort recruited American Indian adults from 12 communities over 3 regions in 2001-2003 (N = 2786). Psychosocial measures included Cohen Perceived Stress, Spielberger Anger Expression, Cook-Medley cynicism subscale, symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, Centers for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale, Short Form 12-a quality of life scale, and the Social Support and Social Undermining scale. Cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality were evaluated by surveillance and physician adjudication through 2017. RESULTS Participants were middle-aged, 40% male, with mean 12 years formal education. Depression symptoms were correlated with anger, cynicism, poor quality of life, isolation, criticism; better social support was correlated with lower cynicism, anger, and trauma. Adjusted time-to-event regressions found that depression, (poor) quality of life, and social isolation scores formed higher risk for mortality and cardiovascular events, and social support was associated with lower risk. Social support partially explained risk associations in causal mediation analyses. CONCLUSION Altogether, our findings suggest that social support is associated with better mood and quality of life; and lower cynicism, stress, and disease risk-even when said risk may be increased by comorbidities. Future research should examine whether enhancing social support can prospectively reduce risk, as an efficient, cost-effective intervention opportunity that may be enacted at the community level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid Suchy-Dicey
- Washington State University Elson S Floyd College of Medicine, 1100 Olive Way Suite 1200, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA.
| | - Harry Eyituoyo
- Washington State University Elson S Floyd College of Medicine, 1100 Olive Way Suite 1200, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Marcia O’Leary
- Missouri Breaks Industries Research, Inc., Eagle Butte, USA
| | | | | | - Steve Verney
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, USA
| | | | | | - Dedra Buchwald
- Washington State University Elson S Floyd College of Medicine, 1100 Olive Way Suite 1200, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Paul Whitney
- Department of Psychology, Washington State University, Pullman, USA
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Suchy-Dicey A, Muller C, Shibata D, Howard BV, Cole SA, Longstreth WT, Devereux RB, Buchwald D. Comparing Vascular Brain Injury and Stroke by Cranial Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Physician-Adjudication, and Self-Report: Data from the Strong Heart Study. Neuroepidemiology 2021; 55:398-406. [PMID: 34428763 PMCID: PMC8448943 DOI: 10.1159/000517804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epidemiologic studies often use self-report as proxy for clinical history. However, whether self-report correctly identifies prevalence in minority populations with health disparities and poor health-care access is unknown. Furthermore, overlap of clinical vascular events with covert vascular brain injury (VBI), detected by imaging, is largely unexamined. METHODS The Strong Heart Study recruited American Indians from 3 regions, with surveillance and adjudication of stroke events from 1989 to 2013. In 2010-2013, all 817 survivors, aged 65-95 years, underwent brain imaging, neurological history interview, and cognitive testing. VBI was defined as imaged infarct or hemorrhage. RESULTS Adjudicated stroke was prevalent in 4% of participants and separately collected, self-reported stroke in 8%. Imaging-defined VBI was detected in 51% and not associated with any stroke event in 47%. Compared with adjudication, self-report had 76% sensitivity and 95% specificity. Participants with adjudicated or self-reported stroke had the poorest performance on cognitive testing; those with imaging-only (covert) VBI had intermediate performance. CONCLUSION In this community-based cohort, self-report for prior stroke had good performance metrics. A majority of participants with VBI did not have overt, clinically recognized events but did have neurological or cognitive symptoms. Data collection methodology for studies in a resource-limited setting must balance practical limitations in costs, accuracy, feasibility, and research goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid Suchy-Dicey
- Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington, USA
- Initiative for Research and Education to Advance Community Health, Washington State University, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Clemma Muller
- Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington, USA
- Initiative for Research and Education to Advance Community Health, Washington State University, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Dean Shibata
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Shelley A Cole
- Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - W T Longstreth
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Dedra Buchwald
- Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington, USA
- Initiative for Research and Education to Advance Community Health, Washington State University, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Race, Socioeconomic Status, and Cerebellum Cortex Fractional Anisotropy in Pre-Adolescents. ADOLESCENTS 2021; 1:70-94. [PMID: 34095893 DOI: 10.3390/adolescents1020007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Cerebellum cortex fractional anisotropy is a proxy of the integrity of the cerebellum cortex. However, less is known about how it is shaped by race and socioeconomic status (SES) indicators such as parental education and household income. Purpose In a national sample of American pre-adolescents, this study had two aims: to test the effects of two SES indicators, namely parental education and household income, on cerebellum cortex fractional anisotropy, and to explore racial differences in these effects. Methods Using data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, we analyzed the diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging (dMRI) data of 9565, 9-10-year-old pre-adolescents. The main outcomes were cerebellum cortex fractional anisotropy separately calculated for right and left hemispheres using dMRI. The independent variables were parental education and household income; both treated as categorical variables. Age, sex, ethnicity, and family marital status were the covariates. Race was the moderator. To analyze the data, we used mixed-effects regression models without and with interaction terms. We controlled for propensity score and MRI device. Results High parental education and household income were associated with lower right and left cerebellum cortex fractional anisotropy. In the pooled sample, we found significant interactions between race and parental education and household income, suggesting that the effects of parental education and household income on the right and left cerebellum cortex fractional anisotropy are all significantly larger for White than for Black pre-adolescents. Conclusions The effects of SES indicators, namely parental education and household income, on pre-adolescents' cerebellum cortex microstructure and integrity are weaker in Black than in White families. This finding is in line with the Marginalization-related Diminished Returns (MDRs), defined as weaker effects of SES indicators for Blacks and other racial and minority groups than for Whites.
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Suchy-Dicey A, Noonan C, Burduli E, Mateen FJ, Longstreth W, Buchwald D, Navas-Acien A. Urinary Arsenic and Cadmium Associations with Findings from Cranial MRI in American Indians: Data from the Strong Heart Study. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2020; 128:127009. [PMID: 33332184 PMCID: PMC7745762 DOI: 10.1289/ehp6930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Arsenic and cadmium are known cardiovascular toxicants that pose disproportionate risk to rural communities where environmental exposures are high. American Indians have high vascular risk, which may be attributable in part to these exposures. OBJECTIVE We examined urine metal concentrations in association with magnetic resonance imaging findings of vascular brain injury or cerebral atrophy in adult American Indians. METHODS We measured arsenic and cadmium in American Indian participants from the Strong Heart Study (1989-1991) and evaluated these associations with later (2010-2013) measures of infarct, hemorrhage, white matter hyperintensity (WMH) grade, brain and hippocampal volume, and sulcal and ventricle atrophy using nested multivariate regression analyses. RESULTS Among participants with available data (N=687), the median urine arsenic:creatinine ratio was 7.54μg/g [interquartile range (IQR): 4.90-11.93] and the cadmium:creatinine ratio was 0.96μg/g (IQR: 0.61-1.51). Median time between metal measurement and brain imaging was 21 y (range: 18-25 y). Statistical models detected significant associations between arsenic and higher burden of WMH [grade increase=0.014 (95% CI: 0.000, 0.028) per 10% increase in arsenic]; and between cadmium and presence of lacunar infarcts [relative risk (RR)=1.024 (95% CI: 1.004, 1.045) per 10% increase in cadmium]. DISCUSSION This population-based cohort of American Indian elders had measured values of urine arsenic and cadmium several times higher than previous population- and clinic-based studies in the United States and Mexico, and comparable values with European industrial workers. Our findings of associations for arsenic and cadmium exposures with vascular brain injury are consistent with established literature. Environmental toxicant accumulation is modifiable; public health policy may benefit from focusing on reductions in environmental metals. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP6930.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid Suchy-Dicey
- Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University (WSU), Spokane, Washington, USA
- Institute for Research and Education to Advance Community Health, WSU, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Carolyn Noonan
- Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University (WSU), Spokane, Washington, USA
- Institute for Research and Education to Advance Community Health, WSU, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Farrah J. Mateen
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - W.T. Longstreth
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Heath, University of Washington (UW), Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Dedra Buchwald
- Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University (WSU), Spokane, Washington, USA
- Institute for Research and Education to Advance Community Health, WSU, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Ana Navas-Acien
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Heath, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
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Assari S. Race, Ethnicity, Family Socioeconomic Status, and Children's Hippocampus Volume. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 5:25-45. [PMID: 33103023 DOI: 10.22158/rhs.v5n4p25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Introduction The hippocampus has a significant role in memory, learning, and cognition. Although hippocampal size is highly susceptible to family socioeconomic status (SES) and associated stress, very little is known on racial and ethnic group differences in the effects of SES indicators on hippocampus volume among American children. Purpose This study explored the multiplicative effects of race, ethnicity, and family SES on hippocampus volume among American children. Methods Using data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD), we analyzed the functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) data of 9390 9-10 years old children. The main outcome was hippocampus volume. The predictor was parental education. Subjective family SES was the independent variable. Age, sex, and marital status were the covariates. Racial and ethnic group membership were the moderators. To analyze the data, we used regression models. Results High subjective family SES was associated with larger hippocampus volume. This effect was significantly larger for Whites than Black families. Conclusions The effect of subjective family SES on children's hippocampus volume is weaker in Black than White families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shervin Assari
- Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA.,Department of Urban Public Health, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA
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Family Income Mediates the Effect of Parental Education on Adolescents' Hippocampus Activation During an N-Back Memory Task. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10080520. [PMID: 32764344 PMCID: PMC7464386 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10080520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Hippocampus, a medial temporal lobe structure, has significant implications in memory formation and learning. Although hippocampus activity is believed to be affected by socioeconomic status (SES), limited knowledge exists on which SES indicators influence hippocampus function. Purpose: This study explored the separate and combined effects of three SES indicators, namely parental education, family income, and neighborhood income, on adolescents’ hippocampus activation during an N-Back memory task. As some of the effects of parental education may be through income, we also tested if the effect of parental education on hippocampus activation during our N-Back memory task is mediated by family or neighborhood income. Methods: The Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study is a national multi-center investigation of American adolescents’ brain development. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data of a total sample of 3067 9–10-year-old adolescents were used. The primary outcome was left- hippocampus activation during the N-Back memory task (mean beta weight for N-Back run 1 2 back versus 0 back contrast in left hippocampus). The independent variable was parental education. Family income and neighborhood income were two possible mediators. Age, sex, and marital status were the covariates. To test mediation, we used hierarchical linear regression models first without and then with our mediators. Full mediation was defined according to Kenny. The Sobel test was used to confirm statistical mediation. Results: In the absence of family and neighborhood income in the model, higher parental educational attainment was associated with lower level of left hippocampus activation during the N-Back memory task. This effect was significant while age, sex, and marital status were controlled. The association between parental educational attainment and hippocampus activation during the N-Back memory task was no more significant when we controlled for family and neighborhood income. Instead, family income was associated with hippocampus activation during the N-Back memory task. These findings suggested that family income fully mediates the effect of parental educational attainment on left hippocampus activation during the N-Back memory task. Conclusions: The effect of parental educational attainment on adolescents’ hippocampus activation during an N-Back memory task is fully explained by family income. That means low family income is why adolescents with low-educated parents show highlighted hippocampus activation during an N-Back memory task. Given the central role of the hippocampus in learning and memory and as income is a modifiable factor by tax and economic policies, income-redistribution policies, fair taxation, and higher minimum wage may have implications for promotion of adolescent equality and social justice. There is a need to focus on family-level economic needs across all levels of neighborhood income.
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