US elderly population is rapidly becoming more diverse. Historically, studies of aging and dementia do not reflect this increase in diversity. Aging and cognitive health is affected by psychosocial and environmental determinants that particularly impact diverse groups. White Matter Hyperintensities (WMH) are imaging findings that have been linked to dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease processes.
To date, we are not aware of a systematic review that has investigated the extent to which white matter hyperintensities contribute to the ethno-racial disparities in dementia and cognitive impairment.
• Older adults have the highest incidence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) of any age-group.
• Patients aged 65 and older comprise 15% of the population and account for 50% of TBI deaths
• Few studies have examined risk factors of morbidity and mortality in elderly, TBI patients
