Funded Studies
Study Rationale: In the United States, Latinos with Parkinson’s disease (PD) are more likely to have problems with memory, planning and other thinking skills than individuals of other ethnic/racial backgrounds, but we do not know why. Diabetes and other cardiovascular medical conditions are more common in Latinos and could help explain why Latinos with PD are more likely to develop cognitive issues. Other social factors, such as limited access to specialty healthcare and limited English proficiency, also likely play a role.
Hypothesis: We hypothesize that Latinos with PD will be more likely to have diabetes and other cardiovascular medical conditions than non-Latino White individuals with PD, which could help explain why Latinos with PD have more problems with memory and other thinking skills.
Study Design: We will ask 160 people with PD age 40 and over living in the United States (80 who self-identify as Latino/a/x and 80 who self-identify as non-Latino White) to complete several tests of memory and other thinking skills (in English or Spanish). We will also draw their blood, complete physical exams and obtain their medical history to gather information on diabetes and other cardiovascular conditions, as well as their symptoms of PD. We will ask all participants to complete surveys to measure access to and use of health care and proficiency with English language, among other social factors.
Impact on Diagnosis/Treatment of Parkinson’s disease: Understanding factors that can be changed and that may result in problems with memory and other thinking skills in Latino persons with Parkinson’s disease, is the first step to creating treatments that will help reduce these problems in this group.
Next Steps for Development: If we find that diabetes and related medical conditions are more prevalent in Latinos with PD, we will develop culturally appropriate programs to mitigate these conditions.