COVID-19 set back Alzheimer ’s disease research

In this study, the researchers considered how the COVID-19 pandemic may have undermined this progress.The team used data on 10,105 participants (mean age, 69.4 years; 58% female; 10% Hispanic/Latino; 14% Black/African American) from 30 U.S. ADRCs. It performed a time series analysis to assess the relationship of the pandemic with enrollment and calculated projected dates of enrollment recovery.The analysis showed that the pandemic was associated with an immediate overall 77% drop in enrollment rate, with a 91% drop in Black/African American participants compared to 71% in white participants. Meanwhile, enrollment of both Hispanic and female participants was declining 1.4% and 0.3% per month prepandemic, the group added.The group estimated that post-pandemic enrollment has increased by 1.5% per month, with 100% recovery expected by September 2024.“Funders and researchers should account for ongoing COVID-19 impact on ADRD research enrollment. Strategies to speed enrollment recovery are needed, especially for Black/African American and Hispanic groups,” the group wrote. Ultimately, historically underserved communities bear a disproportionate burden of Alzheimer’s disease and arguably are most in need of the benefits from participation in research, the authors wrote.Few recruitment approaches have been directly tested via intervention trials at Alzheimer’s disease centers, they added. Among those that have, paying participants an incentive for participation has been shown...
Source: AuntMinnie.com Headlines - Category: Radiology Authors: Tags: Neuroradiology Source Type: news