Statement of the Problem: Accurate assessment of language is important in monitoring the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The challenge is to develop culturally sensitive instruments that can assess neuropsychological impairments across ethnic groups.

Specific Aims: The proposed investigation is designed to test for differences between elderly African-American and Caucasian adults in the community in functional language measures. Determining differences in such measures is important for adequately assessing dementia and aphasia among African American individuals. Data will be collected from the African American and Caucasian populations using a model of pragmatic language usage with culturally non-biased stimuli. Differing patterns between the groups will guide the development of culture-fair measures that assess functional language use and discourse. A subsequent program of research will focus on the development of normative standards for both normal and language impaired elderly in order to document language changes and impairments associated with Alzheimer’s disease and Aphasia.

March 2003 Study Update: The investigator completed HIPPA training as required by April 2003. A student research assistant has been hired for the study, recruitment materials have been purchased, and recruitment of study participants has begun.

January 2004 Study Update: Data collection has been completed and the data are currently being analyzed.