Interconnected individuals with glowing neural pathways, symbolizing collaboration in understanding neurodegenerative diseases across diverse communities.

Neurodegenerative Diseases in Minority Populations: Unveiling Disparities and Improving Care

Mira Elwood in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 5 min read.

"A new study sheds light on how Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and ALS manifest differently across racial and ethnic groups, paving the way for more targeted and effective treatments."

Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), pose significant challenges to public health, particularly within minority populations. These conditions, characterized by the progressive deterioration of nerve cells, not only diminish the quality of life for those affected but also place a substantial burden on healthcare systems.

While the overall impact of neurodegenerative diseases is well-documented, less is known about how these conditions manifest and progress across different racial and ethnic groups. This gap in knowledge is especially concerning given the projected increase in neurodegenerative diseases among minorities. Understanding these disparities is essential for developing targeted strategies to improve early diagnosis, treatment, and support for affected communities.

A recent study conducted at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, sought to address this critical need by examining the prevalence and presentation of symptoms in minority patients diagnosed with AD, PD, or ALS. The researchers retrospectively reviewed data from a diverse cohort, identifying key differences in how these diseases manifest across various racial and ethnic groups. The findings highlight the importance of considering cultural and ethnic factors in the diagnosis and management of neurodegenerative conditions.

Decoding Symptom Variations: How Race and Ethnicity Influence Neurodegenerative Disease

Interconnected individuals with glowing neural pathways, symbolizing collaboration in understanding neurodegenerative diseases across diverse communities.

The Mayo Clinic study, led by Tarun D. Singh and Keith A. Josephs, involved a comprehensive review of medical records from 472 minority patients diagnosed with AD, PD, or ALS between 2000 and 2015. The study population included individuals from various racial and ethnic backgrounds, including Black/African American, Asian, South Asian, Middle Eastern, Hispanic/Latino, and American Indian/Alaskan Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander groups.

The researchers meticulously collected data on a range of demographic factors, medical history, and disease-specific symptoms. For PD, the analysis focused on both typical motor symptoms (tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia) and non-motor symptoms (anosmia, sleep disorders, cognitive impairment). For AD, the study examined cognitive and behavioral changes, including memory loss, executive dysfunction, and visual-spatial difficulties. In ALS, the researchers assessed both spinal cord-related symptoms (muscle weakness, atrophy, fasciculations) and bulbar symptoms (dysarthria, dysphagia).

Parkinson's Disease (PD): Significant variations were observed in the frequency of micrographia (small handwriting), anosmia (loss of smell), levodopa-induced dyskinesia, falls, and dystonia across different racial and ethnic groups. For instance, micrographia was more prevalent in the Black/African American group and less common in Asian and Middle Eastern groups.
Alzheimer's Disease (AD): Differences emerged in the presentation of executive dysfunction and visual-spatial changes. These cognitive symptoms varied significantly, highlighting the need for culturally sensitive assessment tools.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): Notable differences were found in the occurrence of muscle atrophy, limb fasciculation, the ability to ambulate, tongue fasciculation, choking episodes, and dysphagia. These variations suggest that the progression and manifestation of ALS can differ considerably among minority groups.

The study's findings underscore the importance of recognizing that neurodegenerative diseases do not manifest uniformly across all populations. By acknowledging these disparities, healthcare professionals can provide more accurate diagnoses, develop tailored treatment plans, and offer culturally competent support to minority patients and their families. Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying biological, genetic, and environmental factors that contribute to these variations. Understanding these mechanisms may lead to the development of targeted therapies that address the specific needs of different racial and ethnic groups.

Bridging the Gap: Toward Equitable Care for All

The Mayo Clinic study provides valuable insights into the diverse ways in which neurodegenerative diseases manifest across racial and ethnic minority groups. By recognizing and addressing these disparities, healthcare providers can deliver more equitable and effective care to all patients. Further research is needed to uncover the underlying mechanisms driving these variations and to develop targeted interventions that improve outcomes for diverse populations.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.4172/2161-0460.1000397, Alternate LINK

Title: Symptom Prevalence Of Neurodegenerative Diseases Among Minorities

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease & Parkinsonism

Publisher: OMICS Publishing Group

Authors: Tarun D Singh, Keith A Josephs

Published: 2017-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

How does Parkinson's Disease (PD) manifest differently in various racial and ethnic groups?

The Mayo Clinic study revealed that Parkinson's Disease (PD) presents with varying frequencies of symptoms like micrographia, anosmia, levodopa-induced dyskinesia, falls, and dystonia among different racial and ethnic groups. For example, micrographia was more prevalent in the Black/African American group. These differences highlight that PD is not a uniform condition; its symptoms vary based on an individual's race or ethnicity, necessitating a personalized approach to diagnosis and treatment.

What are the key symptom variations observed in Alzheimer's Disease (AD) concerning race and ethnicity?

In Alzheimer's Disease (AD), the study indicated disparities in the presentation of executive dysfunction and visual-spatial changes across racial and ethnic groups. These cognitive differences are crucial because they affect how the disease is diagnosed and managed. It suggests that standard assessment tools might not be equally effective for everyone, emphasizing the need for culturally sensitive diagnostic methods to ensure accurate evaluations and appropriate care plans.

How does Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) present differently across various racial and ethnic groups, based on the study?

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) also exhibits variations in its symptoms across different racial and ethnic groups, according to the study. Researchers noted differences in muscle atrophy, limb fasciculation, the ability to ambulate, tongue fasciculation, choking episodes, and dysphagia. These variations have significant implications for patient care, as the progression and manifestation of ALS can differ considerably among minority groups, making tailored management essential.

What was the methodology of the Mayo Clinic study, and who were the participants?

The research, conducted at the Mayo Clinic, involved a comprehensive review of medical records from 472 minority patients diagnosed with AD, PD, or ALS between 2000 and 2015. The participants were from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, including Black/African American, Asian, South Asian, Middle Eastern, Hispanic/Latino, and American Indian/Alaskan Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander groups. This diverse cohort allowed the researchers to identify key differences in how these diseases manifest across various racial and ethnic groups.

Why is it important to understand how neurodegenerative diseases vary across different populations?

The significance of this research lies in its implications for healthcare. Recognizing that neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) manifest differently across racial and ethnic groups is essential. This knowledge can lead to more accurate diagnoses, the development of tailored treatment plans, and the provision of culturally competent support. Ultimately, acknowledging these disparities enables healthcare providers to deliver more equitable and effective care to all patients, which is crucial for improving outcomes for diverse populations.