Quick Test Could Improve Dementia Care Disparities

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Signs of cognitive impairment and early dementia among Latinos and other people of color are often missed by healthcare providers in busy primary care settings.

Now, a new test could help improve cognitive care for these patients.

Recently, Dr. Joe Verghese and researchers from Albert Einstein College of Medicine created a culturally unbiased cognitive assessment tool called 5-Cog.

The 5-Cog, which takes five minutes to complete, could help identify cognitive concerns and open avenues for diagnosis and treatment for dementia, according to a news release from the National Institute of Health (NIH).

Let’s explore the new test and how it could benefit Latinos with dementia.

How Does the 5-Cog Work?

The 5-Cog test is for older adults who have concerns about their cognitive health.

It includes three brief tests that examine memory recall, the connection between cognition and gait, and the ability to match symbols to pictures.

If the test – which can be administered by people without health care expertise – results indicate cognitive problems, 5-Cog automatically puts a notification in the patient’s electronic health record, causing a set of recommendations to be sent to their health care provider.

“Early diagnosis of dementia or its precursor, mild cognitive impairment, is important to enable treatments and planning to help keep older adults safe in their living situations,” according to the NIH.

How Did the 5-Cog Perform in a Study Population?

In an NIH-funded study, researchers tested the 5-Cog in about 1,200 older adults from a primary care clinic in Bronx County of New York City.

Participants took the 5-Cog or an unrelated physical test immediately before a primary care visit. Of the participants, 94% listed their race as Black, Hispanic, or Latino, according to the NIH news release.

Almost 20% of older adults who took the 5-Cog test received improved overall dementia care, compared to just under 7% of patients in the control group.

Additionally, of those who took the 5-Cog test also had significant improvements in several individual components of dementia care.

These included a new diagnosis of dementia or mild cognitive impairment, further assessments, and specialist referrals within 90 days of assessment.

“We’re hopeful that the findings from this study could promote changes in primary care practice so that more older people with mild cognitive impairment or dementia will benefit from getting diagnosed and treated for their conditions,” Dr. Verghese said.

Find the full study details here.

Latinos and Dementia

Nearly 7 million US adults have Alzheimer’s, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Further, Alzheimer’s is projected to increase in older Latinos by 175% between 2018 and 2040, compared with a 32% increase in the White population, according to Salud America! resource.

“In the U.S., non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic older adults are more likely than White older adults to have Alzheimer’s or other dementias,” according to the 2024 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures Report.

With this in mind, it’s important to consider the social determinants or health and other issue that complicate dementia care, like financial burden, transportation, caregiving, and access to healthy food, physical activity, and healthcare.

The Need for Latinos in Clinical Research

In addition, clinical trials, registries, and research play major roles in understanding and managing diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s.

However, Latinos are historically underrepresented in clinical research, especially Alzheimer’s.

Several reasons are behind this disparity, including lack of awareness and access to clinical trials and lack of trust in the healthcare system.

But participating can help Latinos and their families now and in the future, said Dr. Amelie Ramirez, leader of Salud America! at the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio.

“To achieve equitable participation of Latinos and other underrepresented groups in clinical research, we need comprehensive approaches that address social and contextual barriers to participation,” Ramirez said.

Ramirez is creating new ways to encourage Latinos to volunteer for cancer and Alzheimer’s clinical trials, with support from Genentech, a member of the Roche Group.

She and her team are showcasing open clinical trials and uplifting the stories of Latino clinical trial participants on the Salud America! website.

She’s also raising awareness through social media events and webinars.

To find clinical trial information, visit the Salud America! clinical trials page.

Those looking for opportunities based in San Antonio can search the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio’s Find a Clinical Trial database to learn more about available clinical trials and eligibility requirements.

On a national level, visit clinicaltrials.gov to find a clinical trial near you.

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