How reactions to a brain scan result differ for adults based on self‐identified Black and White race

• Published in: Alzheimer's & dementia 2024-03, Vol.20 (3), p.1527-1537
• Main Authors: Stites, Shana D., Largent, Emily A., Schumann, Rosalie, Harkins, Kristin, Sankar, Pamela, Krieger, Abba
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Adults; Alzheimer Disease - diagnostic imaging; Alzheimer's biomarkers; Alzheimer's disease; Alzheimer's stigma; Biomarkers; Black or African American; Black people; Brain; Brain - diagnostic imaging; Brain research; Confidence; Dementia; diagnosis confidence; Health care; Humans; Medical diagnosis; Medical research; Memory; Race; Response rates; Social Stigma; Stigma; White
• ISSN: 1552-5260; 1552-5279; 1552-5279
• DOI: 10.1002/alz.13558

INTRODUCTION How do reactions to a brain scan result differ between Black and White adults? The answer may inform efforts to reduce disparities in Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnosis and treatment. METHODS Self‐identified Black (n = 1055) and White (n = 1451) adults were randomized to a vignette of a fictional patient at a memory center who was told a brain scan result. Measures of stigma and diagnosis confidence were compared between‐groups. RESULTS Black participants reported more stigma than White participants on four of seven domains in reaction to the patient at a memory center visit. Black participants’ confidence in an AD diagnosis informed by a brain scan and other assessments was 72.2 points (95% confidence interval [CI] 70.4 to 73.5), which was lower than the respective rating for White participants [78.1 points (95%CI 77.0 to 79.3)]. DISCUSSION Equitable access to early AD diagnosis will require public outreach and education that address AD stigma associated with a memory center visit.