An Alzheimer's Quest: Enrolling More Black People in Clinical Trials

Blacks and Latinos are underrepresented in clinical trials of Alzheimer's disease treatments, reports the Wall Street Journal . Stephanie Monroe with the African American Network Against Alzheimer's says this is mainly because none are asked to participate — while research indicates most would get involved if invited, but many have limited access to physicians. Carl Hill at the Alzheimer's Association says cost can be a shortcoming, and his organization is working with the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the National Hispanic Council on Aging to raise awareness of clinical trials and their value. The association also hosts an online trial match service to help link people with Alzheimer's disease to research studies. Genentech's Quita Highsmith says a critical turning point has been reached, and the biotechnology company has established an external steering committee to consider inclusion and exclusion criteria for biases, like requiring a certain body-mass index. Global Alzheimer's Platform Foundation President John Dwyer adds that minority participation targets should be built into trials from the beginning. One coming trial that will search for markers in the blood to ascertain Alzheimer's risk demands that 20 percent of the participants be either African-American or Latino.