A nationwide study on Parkinson’s Disease in African American and Black people has chosen LSU Health Shreveport as a new site location. Nearly one million people in the country are affected by Parkinson’s disease. The Director of the Center for Brain Health and Professor of Neurology at LSU Health Shreveport, Elizabeth Disbrow says finding a sample population to participate is important.
“Michael J. Fox is helping with the efforts in the United States and the National Institute of Health is going to be banking all the samples. A group called the Parkinson’s Foundation is going to be offering genetic counseling,” said Disbrow.
90% of genetics studies related to Parkinson’s Disease have involved people of European ancestry, leaving the disease’s genetic impact on Black and African American people underrepresented in current research data. Disbrow says the African American population is medically underserved.
“My concern is that it’s underdiagnosed because the person who has the disease often isn’t aware of it,” said Disbrow.
Information gathered on the black and African American connections to Parkinson’s Disease is only one piece of a larger global effort to enhance knowledge of genetic information and treatment.
“Awareness in our area is minimal. Everyone has trouble getting access to specialty care. So it can be really difficult to get a clear diagnosis,” said Disbrow.
Anyone who would like to volunteer, call 318-656-4800 or visit The Bridge Alzheimer’s & Dementia Resource Center at 851 Olive Street in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Comments