Chicago Researchers Trying to Mitigate 800 Percent Projected Growth of Latinos With Alzheimer's

Researchers from the University of Southern California project that between 2012 and 2060, the number of Latinos in the United States with Alzheimer's will rise 832 percent to exceed 3.5 million, reports the Chicago Tribune . Experts say Latinos with Alzheimer's are less likely to seek formal treatment, often due to financial impediments, as well as language and cultural obstacles. Rush University scientists led by David X. Marquez are conducting research on Alzheimer's risk factors in older Latino adults. Researchers have been visiting the homes of the nearly 200 adults enrolled in the study for about 30 months, sampling blood and conducting surveys about lifestyle, behavior, and background. Participants must not have already received a dementia diagnosis, and are also requested to consider donating their brains at the time of death for further study. "Over time, we will hopefully be able to see what are those factors that protect Latinos from getting Alzheimer's disease and what are those that might put Latinos at more risk for Alzheimer's disease," Marquez says.