Neuroimaging markers and cognition in cognitively unimpaired older Latinos from the Harvard Aging Brain Study

INTRODUCTION: Research examining Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuroimaging markers of brain pathology and cognition in older Latino adults remains limited. We compared neuroimaging and cognitive profiles between cognitively unimpaired older Latino and non-Latino adults from the greater Boston area. METHODS: Twenty Latino and 230 non-Latino cognitively unimpaired older adults from the Harvard Aging Brain Study were included. Participants underwent neuroimaging to assess amyloid beta (Aβ), inferior temporal tau and hippocampal volume, as well as cognitive testing with the Preclinical Alzheimer Cognitive Composite-5. Associations between ethnicity and these outcomes were examined using linear regressions adjusted for age, education attainment, and sex. RESULTS: Latino participants had higher levels of inferior temporal tau (p = 0.02) and lower cognitive performance (p < 0.001) compared to non-Latinos, but comparable Aβ deposition and hippocampal volume (all ps > 0.05). DISCUSSION: These results highlight potential differences in vulnerability to cognitive decline between Latinos and non-Latinos, underscoring the need for further investigation.