# Advancing Alzheimer's Disease Communication and Recruitment Science among American Indians and Alaska Natives

> **NIH NIH K01** · WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $126,787

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) affects 5.5 million Americans. The number of people in the
US with ADRD is expected to increase to 16 million by 2050 unless preventive interventions and effective
treatments are developed. Despite advances in ADRD research among non-Hispanic Whites, little is known
about the prevalence and risk factors for ADRD in American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations. This
is in part due to low participation of AI/ANs in ADRD research. The National Institute on Aging and the
Alzheimer’s Association have issued calls for an increase in minority participation in clinical trials. However,
success has been evasive in efforts to recruit AI/AN populations into ADRD clinical studies. The internet is a
primary method for providing information about ADRD and recruiting participants into clinical studies. AI/ANs
frequently use the internet for health information but also report that the websites they access lack cultural
sensitivity. To increase AI/AN participation in ADRD research, it is critical to understand how AI/ANs consume
and process online information. This information can be used to create effective communication and recruitment
material for ADRD clinical studies. In this K01, we will apply a multi-method approach to assess how AI/ANs
process and consume online material. Using this information, we will create culturally tailored online content to
educate AI/ANs about ADRD to promote their enrollment into ADRD research. Our Specific Aims are to: 1)
conduct psychophysiology testing and semi-structured interviews to characterize visual website search patterns,
objectively measured cognitive and emotional responses, knowledge about ADRD and research, and
preferences for accessing health information online; 2) create a culturally tailored educational ADRD website for
AI/ANs that offers research opportunities and conduct a pilot study to demonstrate feasibility of a future
randomized controlled trial; and 3) complete a rigorous training plan that will position the applicant as an
independent investigator and leader in communication with underserved populations, especially AI/ANs. This
innovative application provides an opportunity to discover critical information about how AI/ANs process
information and answers the National Institute on Aging’s call for research to better understand effective
strategies for recruiting minorities into ADRD research and communicating health messages that are appropriate
for diverse populations.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10399547
- **Project number:** 5K01AG066063-02
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Amanda D. Boyd
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $126,787
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-05-01 → 2026-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10399547

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10399547, Advancing Alzheimer's Disease Communication and Recruitment Science among American Indians and Alaska Natives (5K01AG066063-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10399547. Licensed CC0.

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