Alterations in both oral and gut microbiomes have been associated with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (ADRD). While extensive research has focused on the role of gut dysbiosis in ADRD, the contribution of the oral microbiome remains relatively understudied. This study aims to evaluate distinct patterns and potential synergistic effects of oral and gut microbiomes in a cohort of predominantly Hispanic individuals with cognitive impairment (CI) and without cognitive impairment (NC). We conducted 16S rRNA gene sequencing on stool and saliva samples from 32 participants (17 CI, 15 NC; 62.5% female, mean age = 70.4 ± 6.2 years) recruited in San Antonio, Texas, USA. Differential abundance analysis evaluated taxa with significant differences between both groups. While diversity metrics showed no significant differences between CI and NC groups, differential abundance analysis revealed an increased presence of oral genera such as Dialister, Fretibacterium, and Mycoplasma in CI participants. Conversely, CI individuals exhibited a decreased abundance of gut genera, including Shuttleworthia, Holdemania, and Subdoligranulum, which are known for their anti-inflammatory properties. No evidence was found for synergistic contributions between oral and gut microbiomes in the context of CI. Our findings suggest that like the gut microbiome, the oral microbiome of CI participants undergoes significant modifications. Notably, the identified oral microbes have been previously associated with periodontal diseases and gingivitis. These results underscore the necessity for further investigations with larger sample sizes to validate our findings and elucidate the complex interplay between oral and gut microbiomes in ADRD pathogenesis.

Translational equity means ensuring that diagnostics, treatments, care models, and prevention strategies are developed and implemented so they work for populations with the greatest burden and least access to care. In Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD), where most evidence derives from highly educated, non‐Hispanic White participants at large academic centers, translational equity is critical to prevent misclassification, limited access, and widening disparities and to ensure that underrepresented communities shape how new knowledge moves into practice. Hispanic and other populations in the United States are disproportionately affected by ADRD yet remain underrepresented in research, with gaps especially pronounced in high‐poverty border regions such as the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) of South Texas. We describe the design and early outcomes of the Rio Grande Valley Alzheimer's Disease Resource Center for Minority Aging Research (RGV AD‐RCMAR), a National Institute on Aging‐funded P30 center located at a new, R2, Hispanic‐Serving Institution. Drawing on program documents, center evaluation data, and alignment with national RCMAR statistics, we examine how the RGV AD‐RCMAR's three cores, the Leadership and Administrative Core, Analysis Core, and Community Liaison and Recruitment Core (CLRC), and the Research Education Component (REC) were structured to decentralize where dementia research questions are generated, who leads that work, and how benefits flow back to the community. During the 2018 to 2023 cycle, the RGV center supported 14 early‐career investigators, representing ∼5% of all scientists in the national RCMAR/AD‐RCMAR portfolio and ∼12% of all AD‐RCMAR scientists. The REC maintained 50% female representation, retained 70% of scholars at the institution after pilot funding, and saw scholars secure National Institutes of Health (NIH) K‐ and R‐level awards. The CLRC has built a registry of over 600 residents interested in participation and documented hundreds of engagement activities and community changes, positioning the RGV AD‐RCMAR as a border‐based model for translational equity in AD/ADRD.

The quality of life (QoL) perception has been studied in neurological diseases; however, there is limited information linking brain morphological characteristics, QoL, and cognition. Human behavior and perception are associated with specific brain areas that interact through diffuse electrochemical networking. We used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to analyze the brain region volume (BRV) correlation with the scores of Rand’s 36-item Short Form Survey (SF-36) and cognitive domains (memory and dementia status). We analyzed data from 420 adult participants in the Maracaibo Aging Study (MAS). Principal component analysis with oblimin axis rotation was used to gather redundant information from brain parcels and SF-36 domains. Canonical correlation was used to analyze the relationships between SF-36 domains and BRV (adjusted for intracranial cavity), as well as sex, age, education, obesity, and hypertension. The average age (±SD) of subjects was 56 ± 11.5 years; 71% were female; 39% were obese; 12% had diabetes, 52% hypertension, and 7% dementia. No sex-related differences were found in memory and orientation scores, but women had lower QoL scores. The 1st and 2nd canonical correlation roots support the association of SF-36 domains (except social functioning and role emotional) and total brain volume, frontal lobe volume, frontal pole, lateral orbital lobe, cerebellar, and entorhinal areas. Other variables, including age, dementia, memory score, and systolic blood pressure, had a significant influence. The results of this study demonstrate significant correlations between BRV and SF-36 components, adjusted for covariates. The frontal lobe and insula were associated with the mental health component; the lateral-orbital frontal lobe and entorhinal area were correlated with the physical component.

Background: The increasing number of natural disasters and wars will result in complex emergencies affecting how individuals age. Additionally, the continued complex crises in certain areas of the globe exacerbates risks for chronic health conditions and poverty. Implementing ethical and community‐engaged research in these complex humanitarian settings requires tailored approaches. The South Texas Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and the Rio Grande Valley Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Center for Minority Aging Research have adopted the humanitarian lens perspective deployed in the Maracaibo Aging Study in Venezuela to promote the recruitment and retention of older adults and their care partners in the Texas/Mexico border. Our objective is to identify and share key issues in recruitment for aging research in a complex humanitarian setting.Method: Listening sessions, focus groups, and interviews were carried out to understand barriers, facilitators, beliefs, and preferences of older adults, care partners of people living with dementia, promotoras/community health workers, family physicians, and community‐based organizations to understand their expectations better. Elements of the humanitarian framework and capacity building were informed by the qualitative data and guidance from a senior coalition.Result: Located in the Texas/Mexico border, the Rio Grande Valley constitutes one of the most impoverished areas in the nation. Competing needs, lack of incentives for participation in research, and fear associated with increasing health care costs were the most frequently cited barriers among residents. We decided to implement several aspects of humanitarian work that were related to efficient research and as a response to community expectations. Advocacy for integrating services into primary and community care was supported through staff training, task‐sharing, and establishing referral and follow‐up mechanisms. Diversifying the research workforce with bilingual and multicultural junior investigators and promotoras further addressed the cultural fluidity. As a result, a research registry of over 400 individuals was built, and more than 400 have participated in different aging studies.Conclusion: Humanitarian settings in high‐income and low‐and middle‐income countries share many implementation needs, including scaling up efforts and tackling multiple challenges simultaneously. Community‐engaged aging research in humanitarian settings requires consideration and assessment of evidence‐based planning and execution and impact evaluation.

Background: The investment in clinical research continues to grow. For Alzheimer's Disease and Alzheimer's Disease Related Dementias (AD/ADRD) only, the National Institute of Health investment grew from 986 million in 2016 to 3.7 billion in 2023. Additionally, the number and complexity of clinical trials is rising. In 2024, there were 127 drugs assessed in clinical trials across the 2024 AD drug development pipeline. This requires a research workforce highly trained, with significant intellectual and skill demands. In minority serving institutions, which have unique opportunities to recruit minority groups into clinical research and where the needs of the workforce may be different, capacity building required tailored approaches. Our research group, dedicated to the study of AD/ADRD in Hispanic populations, implemented capacity building activities for the research staff to conduct high‐impact research, advance community change and promote healthy aging in the Rio Grande Valley, an impoverished area located in Texas/Mexico border. Our objective is to identify capacity building activities for research staff and metrics of success of these initiatives. Method: Listening sessions were carried out to understand barriers, facilitators, beliefs, and preferences of the clinical research staff. Through the lens of social learning and empowerment theory, a community cultural wealth model served to guide our capacity building efforts to intentionally center cultural values within our learning environment and training activities. Result: Competing needs and lack of understanding of the dynamics of a multicultural environment and the academia were identified as barriers among research staff. A framework for building capacity for clinical research staff was developed. Two themes: learning environment and quality of training were identified. Each theme is linked to several activities for which specific metrics were developed. Activities included study circles, trainings and experiential learning activities aimed at strengthening their capacity to become healthier, more confident, and self‐empowered research staff. Conclusion: Capacity building initiatives focused on cultural values and empowerment can foster a resilient and adaptable research workforce poised to thrive in the dynamic AD/ADRD research landscape. In addition, a highly trained, multicultural clinical research workforce can facilitate the development of diverse ideas needed to ultimately improve the AD/ADRD research outcomes.