Alzheimer's Disease Biomarkers: A New Frontier, But Who Benefits?-View Presentation

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Video Summary

This webinar, moderated by Dr. Pallavi Yoshi and hosted by the APA's Division of Diversity and Health Equity, explored advances and disparities in Alzheimer's disease biomarker use. Three expert geriatric psychiatrists discussed how biomarkers like beta-amyloid and tau have revolutionized early Alzheimer's diagnosis, offering hope with emerging treatments such as infusions. However, they emphasized significant barriers—medical mistrust, lack of access to specialized centers, socioeconomic factors, and transportation issues—that limit equitable biomarker testing and treatment, especially in underserved Black, Latino, and rural populations.<br /><br />The panel highlighted promising developments like plasma biomarkers, which are less invasive and potentially more accessible than PET scans or lumbar punctures, but stressed the need for equitable deployment and proper clinician training to interpret results responsibly. They stressed the importance of distinguishing Alzheimer's pathology from dementia's clinical syndrome, advocating for careful patient selection before biomarker testing.<br /><br />Discussion underscored the vital role of geriatric psychiatrists in fostering trust, engaging patients and families sensitively, and addressing social determinants of health. Nonpharmacological interventions and lifestyle factors—sleep, exercise, diet, cognitive and social engagement, stress management—were emphasized as key to prevention and recovery, alongside pharmacologic treatments. The panel called for culturally appropriate care, patient-centered communication, and training that integrates the biological advances while respecting patient autonomy and dignity.

Keywords

Alzheimer's disease

biomarkers

beta-amyloid

tau protein

geriatric psychiatry

health disparities

plasma biomarkers

social determinants of health

culturally appropriate care