Health disparities in aging: Improving dementia care for Black women

In the United States, 80% of surveyed Black patients report experiencing barriers to healthcare for Alzheimer\u27s disease and related dementias (ADRD), delaying the time-sensitive treatment of a progressive neurodegenerative disease. According to the National Institute on Aging, Black study participants are 35% less likely to be given a diagnosis of ADRD than white participants, despite being twice as likely to suffer from ADRD than their white counterparts. Prior analysis of prevalence for sex, race, and ethnicity by the Centers for Disease Control indicated the highest incidence of ADRD in Black women. Older (≥65 years) Black women are at a disproportionately high risk for ADRD and yet these patients experience distinct inequities in obtaining clinical diagnosis and treatment for their condition. To that end, this perspective article will review a current understanding of biological and epidemiological factors that underlie the increased risk for ADRD in Black women. We will discuss the specific barriers Black women face in obtaining access to ADRD care, including healthcare prejudice, socioeconomic status, and other societal factors. This perspective also aims to evaluate the performance of intervention programs targeted toward this patient population and offer possible solutions to promote health equity

Friend or Foe? Defining the Role of Glutamate in Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease

Aging is a naturally occurring decline of physiological processes and biological pathways that affects both the structural and functional integrity of the body and brain. These physiological changes reduce motor skills, executive function, memory recall, and processing speeds. Aging is also a major risk factor for multiple neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Identifying a biomarker, or biomarkers, that signals the transition from physiological to pathological aging would aid in earlier therapeutic options or interventional strategies. Considering the importance of glutamate signaling in synaptic plasticity, motor movement, and cognition, this neurotransmitter serves as a juncture between cognitive health and disease. This article discusses glutamatergic signaling during physiological aging and the pathological changes observed in AD patients. Findings from studies in mouse models of successful aging and AD are reviewed and provide a biological context for this transition. Finally, current techniques to monitor brain glutamate are highlighted. These techniques may aid in elucidating time-point specific therapeutic windows to modify disease outcome