Key result
African American race linked to ~33% lower CSF tau burden despite worse peripheral vascular health.
Why the study?
Alzheimer's disease rates are 64% higher in African Americans than Whites, and poor peripheral vascular function may contribute to Alzheimer's pathology and disproportionately affect African Americans.
Do CSF AD biomarkers, peripheral vascular function, and cognition differ by race in a healthy middle-aged cohort at risk for AD?
Cross-Sectional (n=82)
Do CSF AD biomarkers, peripheral vascular function, and cognition differ by race in a healthy middle-aged cohort at risk for AD?
Absolute Event Rate: 199% vs 297%
p-value: p=0.0036
African Americans at risk for AD exhibit worse peripheral vascular health and cognition but lower CSF tau burden than Whites, suggesting race-specific differences in early AD neuropathology.
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Caution against uniform AD biomarker thresholds across races; leaves open distinct neuropathology pathways requiring longitudinal study.
Kumar et al. (2020) conducted a cross-sectional in Cognitively normal adults at high risk for Alzheimer's disease (n=82). African American race vs. White race was evaluated on CSF t-tau concentration (pg/ml) (p=0.0036). African Americans had worse peripheral vascular health and cognition, but significantly lower cerebrospinal fluid tau burden compared to Whites.
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