In:
Alzheimer's & Dementia, Wiley, Vol. 17, No. S4 ( 2021-12)
Abstract:
Research investigating neuroimaging within neurodegenerative diseases is currently lacking in many ethno‐racial groups. Whilst some racially diverse studies are being carried out within North America many still question its generalizability to global populations. Initiatives are being instigated within South America, and data within Asia is more frequently being involved in larger collaborations, however Africa is falling behind. Often research into neuroimaging of neurodegenerative diseases within under‐represented groups is difficult due to numerous barriers, such as MRI accessibility, funding, infrastructure, misconceptions and lack of geriatric neurologists. Method To fully understand the current research investigating neuroimaging within neurodegenerative diseases, a large literature review focusing on structural imaging was conducted. Additionally, a large global initiative has been set up to overcome the lack of diversity within this field‐ the uncovering neurodegenerative insights through ethnic diversity (UNITED) consortium. The UNITED consortium aims to bring together‐ and support‐ groups investigating neuroimaging of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease. A pilot study was undertaken to investigate feasibility of meta‐analysing heterogeneous data‐ often a limitation within neuroimaging. Four samples from the UNITED consortium were included, with over 25,000 individuals from population‐based and case‐control designs, to investigate reproducibility of association studies in imaging biomarkers, and explore under‐represented ethnic groups. Result The literature review yielded over 28,000 abstracts which were screened. It was found that the majority of research currently published uses samples from North America and Europe, with a high use of ADNI data, further highlighting the need for such initiatives as the UNITED consortium. The preliminary pilot results displayed that reproducible results were seen from heterogeneous samples, highlighting the feasibility of neuroimaging collaborations. Subgroup meta‐analyses suggest this that large collaboration will aid in teasing out differences and similarities in under‐represented groups that we are currently lacking. Conclusion There is an urgent need for more diversity and global research within neuroimaging of neurodegeneration. This will further reveal insights into complex neurodegenerative disorders and provide more adequate and personal care to individuals around the globe. Multi‐site collaborations, such as the UNITED consortium, have a lot of potential to produce reliable and more generalizable results pertaining to this.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1552-5260
,
1552-5279
Language:
English
Publisher:
Wiley
Publication Date:
2021
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2201940-6
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