Pablo Martinez Amezcua
Johns Hopkins University, MD·Public Health & Epidemiology
Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) affect many Hispanic older adults in the United States. In 2014 they affected nearly half a million Hispanic adults aged 65 and older, and that number is expected to double by 2030.
- Fields
Public Health & Epidemiology
Neuroscience
Medicine & Clinical Research
- Topics
Alzheimer's disease
dementia
cognitive decline
- Grants
- 1 known grant, through May 2027
What they work on
- Examine whether the association between hearing loss and cognitive decline over about six years in Hispanic adults differs by language acculturation, using HCHS/SOL data.
- Investigate whether hearing loss is associated with brain health markers on MRI scans in Hispanic adults, and whether language acculturation moderates these associations.
- Explore links between hearing loss and Alzheimer's disease pathology markers in the Northern Manhattan Study of Metabolism and Mind (NOMEM), and assess the role of language acculturation.
More about the research
With few effective treatments, attention turns to risk factors people can change. Hearing loss is one such risk factor, and hearing aids have been shown to slow cognitive decline in older adults at higher risk. Yet few Hispanic adults with hearing loss use them. Low language acculturation, meaning limited use of English in daily life, affects over 60 million Hispanics. It may limit mentally stimulating activities and speed cognitive decline.
Why it matters
Hispanic older adults in the U.S., their families, healthcare providers and community organizations could benefit if this work shows how language barriers and hearing loss combine to affect dementia risk. Findings may guide public health strategies, raise awareness of hearing interventions such as hearing aids, and help address communication barriers to care.
Known grants
From NIH and NSF research grants. Labs often have other funding we can't see.
Closest labs
Kathryn Conlon
University of California-Davis, CA·Public Health & Epidemiology
Test whether lifetime exposure to extreme weather events (extreme heat, drought, wildfire) is linked to brain imaging markers, cognitive decline, and dementia, using geocoded residential histories of 3,379 diverse Northern California older adults.
Willa Brenowitz
Boston University, MA·Public Health & Epidemiology
Estimate whether hearing and vision impairments increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, applying causal inference methods and data triangulation across three longitudinal cohort studies.
Glenn Smith
University of Florida, FL·Medicine & Clinical Research
Complete 230 planned longitudinal follow-up visits with harmonized assessments across 1Florida ADRC sites and provide the data to the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (NACC).
The school
Johns Hopkins University: 100 labs on PI Pages, $4.1B a year on research, 622 research doctorates a year.
Reach out
A start for your email. Fill in the brackets.