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

Yonas E. Geda, M.D.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.

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