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Measuring Cognitive Health in Ethnically Diverse Older Adults
[Version 3 of the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center’s Uniform Data Set]

Author

Listed:
  • Hector Hernandez Saucedo
  • Rachel A Whitmer
  • Maria Glymour
  • Charles DeCarli
  • Elizabeth-Rose Mayeda
  • Paola Gilsanz
  • Sunita Q Miles
  • Nihal Bhulani
  • Sarah Tomaszewski Farias
  • John Olichney
  • Dan Mungas

Abstract

ObjectivesUnderstanding racial/ethnic disparities in late-life cognitive health is a public health imperative. We used baseline data from the Kaiser Healthy Aging and Diverse Life Experiences (KHANDLE) study to examine how age, education, gender, and clinical diagnosis, a proxy for brain health, are associated with cross-sectional measures of cognition in diverse racial/ethnic groups.MethodsComprehensive measures of cognition were obtained using the Spanish and English Neuropsychological Assessment Scales and the National Institutes of Health Toolbox Cognitive Health Battery in a sample of 1,695 KHANDLE participants (Asians 24%, Blacks 26%, Latinos 20%, Whites 29%). A 25% random subsample was clinically evaluated and diagnosed with normal cognition, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or dementia. Cognitive test scores were regressed on core demographic variables and diagnosis in the combined sample and in multiple group analyses stratified by racial/ethnic group.ResultsRace/ethnicity and education were variably associated with test scores with strongest associations with tests of vocabulary and semantic memory. Older age was associated with poorer performance on all measures, and gender differences varied across cognitive tests. Clinical diagnosis of MCI or dementia was associated with average decrements in test scores that ranged from −0.41 to −0.84 SD, with largest differences on tests of executive function and episodic memory. With few exceptions, associations of demographic variables and clinical diagnosis did not differ across racial/ethnic groups.DiscussionThe robust associations of cognitive test results with clinical diagnosis independent of core demographic variables and race/ethnicity support the validity of cognitive tests as indicators for brain health in diverse older adults.

Suggested Citation

  • Hector Hernandez Saucedo & Rachel A Whitmer & Maria Glymour & Charles DeCarli & Elizabeth-Rose Mayeda & Paola Gilsanz & Sunita Q Miles & Nihal Bhulani & Sarah Tomaszewski Farias & John Olichney & Dan , 2022. "Measuring Cognitive Health in Ethnically Diverse Older Adults [Version 3 of the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center’s Uniform Data Set]," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 77(2), pages 261-271.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:geronb:v:77:y:2022:i:2:p:261-271.
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Shannon Sisco & Alden L. Gross & Regina A. Shih & Bonnie C. Sachs & M. Maria Glymour & Katherine J. Bangen & Andreana Benitez & Jeannine Skinner & Brooke C. Schneider & Jennifer J. Manly, 2015. "The Role of Early-Life Educational Quality and Literacy in Explaining Racial Disparities in Cognition in Late Life," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 70(4), pages 557-567.
    2. Melissa Castora-Binkley & Carol L. Peronto & Jerri D. Edwards & Brent J. Small, 2015. "A Longitudinal Analysis of the Influence of Race on Cognitive Performance," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 70(4), pages 512-518.
    3. Kharine R Jean & Cutter A Lindbergh & Catherine M Mewborn & Talia L Robinson & Marissa A Gogniat & L Stephen Miller & Angela Gutchess, 2019. "Education Differentially Buffers Cognitive Performance in Black and White Older Adults," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 74(8), pages 1366-1375.
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