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Risk factors for incident Alzheimer's disease in African Americans and Yoruba

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Abstract

Introduction: The incidence rate of Alzheimer's disease (AD) was found to be 2 times lower in Yoruba than in African Americans. This study was aimed at identifying the factors associated with increased risk of incident AD in the two communities.

Methodology: A two-stage design with initial screening using the CSI’D followed by neuropsychological test battery, relations’ interview and physician assessment in a sub-sample.

NINCDS-ADRDA criteria were met for AD. The risk factor variables assessed included demographic, lifestyle, medical and family history items.

Results: In the Yoruba, AD was associated with age (OR = 1.07) and female gender (OR = 2.93). In African Americans, age (OR = 1.09) and rural living (OR = 2.08) were the significant risk factors, while alcohol was protective (OR = 0.49).

Discussion: Age was a significant risk factor for AD at both sites. The higher risk of incident AD in the Yoruba female, and in African Americans who resided in rural areas in childhood were similar with the prevalence cases. Alcohol emerged a protective factor in African Americans. More studies are required, including biological measurements, to adequately explain the differences in rates.

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Acknowledgement

The study was supported by National Institute of Health Grant RO1AGO9956. Paper presented in part CINP/IBRO Psychiatry and Neuroscience in Africa Congress 2005. Cape Town, South Africa. April 2005.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Medicine and Psychiatry, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria

    A. Ogunniyi, O. Gureje & O. Baiyewu

  2. Indianapolis Study of Health and Aging, Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

    K. S. Hall, S. Gao, F. W. Unverzagt, V. Smith-Gamble, R. E. Evans, J. Dickens, B. S. Musick & H. C. Hendrie

  3. Department of Medicine, University College Hospital, PMB 5116, Ibadan, Nigeria

    A. Ogunniyi

Authors
  1. A. Ogunniyi
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  2. K. S. Hall
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  3. O. Gureje
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  4. O. Baiyewu
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  5. S. Gao
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  6. F. W. Unverzagt
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  7. V. Smith-Gamble
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  8. R. E. Evans
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  9. J. Dickens
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  10. B. S. Musick
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  11. H. C. Hendrie
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Ogunniyi, A., Hall, K.S., Gureje, O. et al. Risk factors for incident Alzheimer's disease in African Americans and Yoruba. Metab Brain Dis 21, 224–229 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11011-006-9017-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11011-006-9017-2

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