COVID-19 May Disproportionately Affect Patients With Alzheimer's Disease, Dementia

Presentations at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference 2020 indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected research, outcomes, long-term care, and disparities associated with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, reports Healio . "Our aging population is at unique risk for COVID-19, both for infectivity as well as for serious complications," said Gregory Jicha with the Alzheimer's Association Clinical Trials Advancement and Methods professional interest area. "Although COVID-19 risks are high . . . Alzheimer's disease and related dementias carry a 100 percent risk for death." Approaches for safely conducting research among this populace include screening for symptoms, maintaining social distancing, minimizing exposure, limiting time in the clinic, and mask use. Jicha stressed that many promising Alzheimer's treatments require testing, and it is critical to carefully negotiate the pandemic and its shifting protocols, less recruitment, and elevated attrition to avoid overlooking pharmacologic research opportunities. A presentation from Rush University's Neelum T. Agarwal showed cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk factors play prominent roles in Alzheimer's development, bringing health disparities into sharp relief. "These disparities have been unmasked and amplified by COVID-19, and it just adds another layer to our discussion regarding cognitive functioning and risk for Alzheimer's disease," he said. The Alzheimer's Association's Beth A. Kallmyer added that populations at long-term care communities may be especially vulnerable to COVID-19, since so many live with dementia.