OVERALL Alzheimers disease (AD) is an aging-associated disorder that disproportionately impacts Hispanics/Latinos, who exhibit AD rates 1.5 times higher and average onset 7 years earlier than do older whites. Predicted growth of the US Hispanic population, particularly faster in Texas, portends further exacerbation of the disproportion- ate health and economic burdens of elevated AD in Hispanics. There is a shortage of researchers focused on AD and related disorders (ADRD) in Hispanics, particularly from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups. To overcome these barriers, the proposed AD Resource Center for Minority Aging Research (AD-RCMAR) at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), one of the nation's largest Hispanic-serving institutions, will combine evidence-based mentoring and support mechanisms to develop and promote a first-rate regional and national cadre of researchers, particularly from under-represented groups, to analyze the complex mecha- nisms and interacting factors that contribute to Hispanics' disparate vulnerabilities to AD. The Center will sup- port identification of pathways and developmental time points at which changes in social circumstances and behavior can exert the largest favorable impacts on prevention and progression of AD among Hispanics. The UTRGV AD-RCMAR will exploit its unique resources to develop infrastructure and data collections that will at- tract and support researchers from multiple disciplines and at different scientific career stages, and allow them to conduct research aimed at reducing the impacts of AD on Hispanics. The socio-demographic profile of UTRGV reflects that of its local community, positioning the Center uniquely to advance studies of disparities in health and health care and contribute innovative solutions to improve minorities' health. We will achieve the Center's goals via 4 specific aims: 1) to identify, engage, mentor, and provide high-quality training and individu- alized career development support to outstanding faculty, especially from underrepresented groups; 2) to sup- port innovative, high-impact multidisciplinary pilot projects; 3) to provide expertise and resources for culturally- sensitive measurement and analysis of cognitive risk factors in older Hispanics, including behavioral, neuro- psychological, neuroimaging, and cardiovascular and genetic traits; and 4) to create the necessary expertise and resources to establish longitudinal research cohorts of older Hispanics and their families. We will achieve these aims through the creation of 4 Cores (Administrative; Research Education; Analysis; and Community Liaison/Recruitment) to support AD research. The Center will build upon the experience of investigators at the UTRGV Institute of Neuroscience and collaborators at the South Texas Diabetes & Obesity Institute, and Washington University's AD Research Center.
Alzheimers disease (AD) is an aging-associated disorder that disproportionately impacts Hispanics/Latinos, who represent the faster growing segment of the elderly population in the US and particularly in Texas. Build- ing on longstanding strengths in social, behavioral and biomedical research at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) and facilitated by partnership with the Washingtons University Alzheimers Disease Research Center, the UTRGV AD-RCMAR will lead and coordinate an effort in South Texas to enhance the diversity of the research workforce of minority aging and develop infrastructure and data collections that will attract and support researchers from multiple disciplines and at different scientific career stages, and allow them to conduct research aimed at reducing the impacts of AD on Hispanics.
