A Feasibility Study to Establish Cognitive Research Among African-Americans Residing in Peoria, Arizona

Yonas E. Geda, M.D.

Consultant, Psychiatry
Mayo Clinic’s campus in Scottsdale, Arizona

Abstract

The following sequence of events led to this pilot application: 1) The key inspiration came from a well-respected weekly health promotion lecture series organized by the health ministry of an African-American church known as the Antioch church of Peoria, Arizona; 2) The health ministry is led by a young Mayo physician, a co-principal investigator on this pilot application, who is an integral member of the African-American community; 3) The community outreach program of Mayo Clinic in Arizona facilitated a meeting between the principal investigator and co-principal investigator of the proposed application. Our long-term goal has a two-pronged approach: 1) A mentoring plan to advance the academic career of young investigators from the community; 2) African-Americans are disproportionately affected by stroke, hypertension and similar conditions that increase the risk of cognitive impairment. Therefore, our long-term goal is to establish a research program dedicated to reducing the risk for cognitive disorders by employing physical exercise and mentally stimulating activities. In order to achieve this long-term goal, we need to carry out the following feasibility study: We will administer a culture- and language-neutral, computerized cognitive screening test to 50 African-American adults. We will also use a simple cell-phone size portable technology to measure resting energy expenditure and an accelerometer to objectively measure physical activity. These objective measurements of energy expenditure will lay the groundwork for the long-term plan of lifestyle intervention to reduce cardiometabolic risk factors for dementia among the African-American community. Data from this feasibility study will lead to an extramural grant submission.