Ethnic differences in the prevalence of amyloid positivity and cognitive trajectories

Abstract

Introduction: We investigated the prevalence of amyloid beta (Aβ) positivity (+) and cognitive trajectories in Koreans and non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs).

Methods: We included 5121 Koreans from multiple centers across South Korea and 929 NHWs from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). Participants underwent Aβ positron emission tomography and were categorized into cognitively unimpaired (CU), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia stages. Age, sex, education, and apolipoprotein E. genotype were adjusted using multivariable logistic regression and stabilized inverse probability of treatment weights based on the propensity scores to mitigate imbalances in these variables.

Results: The prevalence of Aβ+ was lower in CU Koreans than in CU NHWs (adjusted odds ratio 0.60). Aβ+ Koreans showed a faster cognitive decline than Aβ+ NHWs in the CU (B = -0.314, p = .004) and MCI stages (B = -0.385, p < .001).

Discussion: Ethnic characteristics of Aβ biomarkers should be considered in research and clinical application of Aβ-targeted therapies in diverse populations.

Highlights: Koreans have a lower prevalence of Aβ positivity compared to NHWs in the CU stage. The effects of Alzheimer's risk factors on Aβ positivity differ between Koreans and NHWs. Aβ-positive (Aβ+) Koreans show faster cognitive decline than Aβ+ NHWs in the CU and MCI stages.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; amyloid‐β positivity; cognitive trajectories; ethnic differences; positron emission tomography.