Opportunities Available to Be Part of a New Study to Focus on Mexican Americans Who May Suffer from Alzheimer’s Disease

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 35 million people worldwide are affected by Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Researchers at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) are conducting a study to see how the disease targets Mexican Americans.

Sid O’Bryant, Ph.D., assistant professor in the TTUHSC Department of Neurology, said studies such as this are needed to find answers and currently, there is not much data about how this disease affects Mexican Americans.

“Because we are living longer, we need to gain a better understanding of diseases of aging and how to treat them,” O’Bryant said. “Participation will aid in this effort by helping us understand how genes and chemicals in the blood are related to Alzheimer’s disease particularly in specific races.”

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease may include:

• Getting lost
• Repetitive questions and conversations
• Taking longer than usual to finish routine daily tasks
• Losing things or misplacing them in odd places
• Noticeable changes in personality or mood
• Memory problems that are noticed by others

The study takes approximately 2 hours once a year and involves blood work, interviews and memory testing. Participants must be 70 years or older. All participants will be paid $100 for their time and travel expenses.

TTUHSC experts will offer presentations and conduct memory screenings at the following locations:

• 9 a.m. to noon July 12 at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 3111 Erskine St.
• 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 13 at the Lubbock Adult Day Center, 8004 Indiana Ave
• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 14 at the Maggie Trejo Super Center, 3200 Amherst (O’bryant will give presentation about depression and caregiver support)
• 9 a.m. to noon July 26 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 1603 Cherry Ave
• 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. July 28 at the Copper Rawlings Center, 213 40th St

From noon to 6 p.m. July 17, an additional opportunity to pick up information about the research will be at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church Jamaica, 1120 52 St.

For more information about the study or presentations, contact Vicki Ramirez, TTUHSC research coordinator, at (806) 743-5604.

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