Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Despite the global burden of dementia, research remains dominated by high-income, Western populations, limiting the generalizability and equity of findings. In this Perspective, we highlight the importance of diversity and inclusion in dementia research, not only in study participants but also in the researchers, study design, and funding priorities. We describe how the lack of representation creates knowledge gaps and delays progress in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. We also present examples of initiatives that are working to change this, including the Alzheimer's Disease Data Initiative and the William H. Gates Sr. Fellowship program, which supports open science, international collaboration, and early-career researchers from underrepresented regions. These efforts demonstrate that diversity is not only an ethical goal, but a scientific need. More inclusive and global research could lead to discoveries that are more generalizable, more globally applicable, and better able to inform strategies to address dementia across all communities. HIGHLIGHTS: Prioritize representation in datasets across ethnicity, geography, sex/gender, and socio-economic status. Support early-career researchers from underrepresented regions with long-term funding and mentorship. Standardize and adapt tools (cognitive, clinical, genomic) across cultural and linguistic contexts. Promote open science through equitable, federated data sharing platforms, and embed community engagement from research design to dissemination. Value diversity as a driver of discovery, not as a confounder.
Source: Alzheimer s & Dementia
DOI: 10.1002/alz.71069
Institutions: Radboud University Nijmegen, Utrecht University, Radboud University Medical Center, Pasqual Maragall Foundation, Barcelonaβeta Brain Research Center, Hospital Del Mar, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Centre for Genomic Regulation, Hospital del Mar Research Institute, University of Sunderland, University of Edinburgh, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institute on Aging, Trinity College Dublin, University of Cambridge, Indiana University Indianapolis, Indiana University School of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Alleo Labs (United States), Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Bioinformatics Institute
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,200
Funders: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Alzheimer's Association, “la Caixa” Foundation, European Commission, Isaac Newton Trust, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Alzheimer Nederland, Fundación Bancaria Caixa d'Estalvis i Pensions de Barcelona, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Aging, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
OpenAlex ID: W7120016193