US Latinos develop Alzheimer's at earlier age than whites

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

A study has shown differences in the age of onset of the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease among a group of Latinos and non-Latinos in the USA.
In previous studies, Mexican-American Latinos and C aribbeans were found to have a higher prevalence of Alzheimer's disease. Also, Latinos in New York and Houston had a higher incidence of the condition than whites.

A team at the University of Pennsylvania have carried out a study in which the age of onset of Alzheimer's in Latinos and whites was compared. The average age in the former was 68.8 years compared to 73.5 years for the latter. The reasons for this difference were not clear. Further work is needed to identify the risk factors, in case earlier intervention can help to reduce the burden of Alzheimer's in the Latino population group.

Source
Archives of Neurology May 2005 Volume 62 pages 774-778

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