dementia research study florida

USF Enrolling Thousands In $44M Study On Delaying Onset Of Alzheimer's

Researchers are looking to enroll 7,600 people in the cognitive training study, including 3,000 in the greater Tampa Bay region.

Researchers at the University of South Florida are looking to enroll thousands of volunteers to take part in a computer-based study that could decrease their chances of getting Alzheimer’s disease.

The university received $44 million from the National Institutes of Health to continue its research into whether computer-based cognitive training can prevent and even improve dementia disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease.

The study is a culmination of 30 years of research on cognitive training to help adults maintain brain function, said Jerri Edwards, a professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and the lead researcher on the study.

“This intervention is the only one to date to show in a randomized clinical trial to reduce the risk of dementia,” Edwards said. “I emphasis, kind of a landmark study in the United States, that will definitely advance the field.”

Rather than just informing researchers and medical professionals on how to diagnose and treat forms of dementia, Edwards said that this study has been instrumental in actually understanding how to prevent certain types of cognitive disorders, including Alzheimer’s.

Ten years after completing the training, older adults were better at everyday tasks like driving, had improved balance and mental quickness and were less likely to have dementia.

The research has revolutionized how scientists view cognitive disorders, Edwards said. Preliminary findings from past studies have challenged once-accepted beliefs, she said.

“I've been doing this work for almost 30 years, and I feel this changed a lot of the common kind of beliefs we once held, specifically that older adults couldn't improve their performance and that we couldn't prevent decline with age,” Edwards said.

The researchers are looking to enroll 7,600 people in Florida, Arizona, North Carolina and South Carolina. About 3,000 of the volunteers will come from the greater Tampa Bay region, Edwards said. Participants must be 65 and older and have no signs of dementia.

African Americans and Hispanic populations have been a particular focus of the study because they have a higher risk for dementia, Edwards said. The researchers are specifically recruiting volunteers from these populations to ensure a diverse study sample. They have hired Spanish speaking staff at each of their volunteer recruitment sites, including in the Tampa Bay area.

“We want to highly encourage African American and Hispanic older adults to participate in this study,” Edwards said. “We believe that they could benefit from this intervention, but we have to have them participate in the trial in order to show that.”

To enroll, visit the study's website or call 813-974-6703.

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1Florida Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC)

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When it comes to many illnesses and diseases, early detection is crucial. That’s because treatment is most successful in the early stages. It’s no different for Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative illnesses. When we discover early signs of cognitive decline, we can find ways to preserve brain function and help older adults live better and maintain their independence.

Through our partnership with the  1Florida Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center , a consortium of Florida institutions that conduct Alzheimer’s research, the Center for Cognitive Neuroscience and Aging (CNSA) is poised to do just that: enhance the lives of all older adults. The 1Florida ADRC also focuses on including people from historically underserved communities who may have difficulty accessing care.

The 1Florida ADRC was awarded a five-year, $15 million grant from the National Institutes of Health/National Institute on Aging to collaborate with other top Florida institutions to focus on Alzheimer’s disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and education in culturally diverse populations. We’ve come together to put our best research forward to meet a common goal.

• Dr. David Loewenstein, Director of the CNSA within the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, is the Principal Investigator of the Miami site, Clinical Core Leader and is Associate Director of the entire 1Florida ADRC across the State of Florida. Dr. Rosie Curiel Cid, Chief, Cross-Cultural Neuropsychology and Cognitive Neuroscience for the CNSA leads the Outreach, Retention and Engagement Core for the Miami and other two 1Florida ADRC clinical recruitment sites across the state.
• Dr. Elizabeth Crocco, Chief of Geriatric Psychiatry, is lead Memory Disorders expert for the Clinical Core.
• Dr. Tatjana Rundek (Neurology), is Co-Leader of the Education Core for the 1Florida ADRC with the mission of training outstanding leaders in Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders.

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This partnership and grant make us the Center of Excellence for Alzheimer’s disease in South Florida. And, as one of only 31 ADRCs across the country, the Miller School has a unique opportunity to make a difference on a national level. Our organization, researchers, and trainees make an impact on national initiatives as we contribute to:

• Critical data collection that advances research
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As an academic medical center, we can offer leading-edge diagnostics and treatment. With our combined resources, we can expand memory care access to those who wouldn’t otherwise have this level of care. We can provide them with precise, comprehensive care and access to leading-edge biomarkers that help discover neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s early, when they’re most successfully treated.

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The University of Miami is a major Clinical Core site for the 1Florida ADRC due to our expertise in: recruiting African American and under-represented populations (Drs. Curiel Cid and Loewenstein), UM’s expertise in creating novel cognitive stress paradigms sensitive to early biomarkers of Alzheimer’s Disease (Drs. Curiel Cid and Loewenstein), expertise in vascular and other comorbidities in the elderly (Drs. Rundek and Xioyan Sun), our expertise in psychiatric disorders in Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders (Dr. Elizabeth Crocco), and our excellent CTSA and other training programs (Dr. Rundek).

Early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias has become a national priority – particularly in diverse ethnic and racial groups who often are underrepresented in clinical trials and research. As part of the grant, our researchers are conducting a multicultural observational study (not involving treatment) of underrepresented populations, including Black and Hispanic older adults. This ensures what we learn and how we prevent, diagnose, and treat Alzheimer’s disease is based on a multicultural population and can be applied to all older Americans.

We’re seeking to understand the aging brain before symptoms occur. Our researchers check participants for early memory changes using a novel cognitive stress test (the Loewenstein-Acevedo Scales for Semantic Interference and Learning test) developed by 1Florida ADRC leaders – Drs. David Loewenstein and Rosie Curiel Cid – at the University of Miami Miller School. The test can discover changes before traditional cognitive testing can detect them. We perform comprehensive testing and follow up with participants annually.

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Our programs offer a comprehensive education that positions researchers and clinicians to become leaders – and ultimately help find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias.

The University of Miami 1Florida ADRC site is recruiting 200 older adult participants with or without memory complaints to study early changes that occur in the aging brain of adults who may be at risk for Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders.

We are located on the medical school campus at 1695 NW 9th Avenue, Miami, Florida 33136. For more information, please call 305-355-9080

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Home / News / Health & Medicine / FSU researcher finds potential new tool for early identification of dementia risk

FSU researcher finds potential new tool for early identification of dementia risk

Research at the Florida State University College of Medicine has identified a potential low-cost method for predicting if a person is at risk of developing dementia.

By analyzing data from nearly 13,000 subjects who participated in a long-term aging study, researchers found that an interviewer’s rating of a cognitively healthy person’s memory successfully predicted the likelihood of developing dementia over a 15-year period. Their findings will be published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease .

“Our findings show that interviewers were able to detect deficits in the memory of participants that predicted higher risk of developing dementia over time,” said research author Angelina Sutin , professor of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine. “The interviewer ratings of memory were particularly important for participants who were among the top performers on objective memory tests.”

The results show that ratings of a person’s memory performance by an interviewer could be a valuable alternative or addition to other methods of detection, such as self reporting or cognitive testing.

Sutin’s team analyzed 15 years of data involving nearly 13,000 people without cognitive impairment at baseline who participated in the University of Michigan Health and Retirement Study, or HRS, and whose memory was rated by their interviewer. The longitudinal study surveys a representative sample of adults aged 50 and older about their health, financial situation and well-being every two years for as long as they choose to remain in the study.

Sutin’s sample included participants who were interviewed in 2006 and scored within the normal range of cognitive function during their first interview and had at least one follow-up assessment of cognition between 2008-2020.

Interviewers were trained research assistants working for the HRS who conducted the 2-3 hour interviews and rated the item, “How much difficulty did the respondent have remembering things that you asked (him/her) about?” from 1 (no difficulty) to 5 (could not do at all).

Interviewer-rated memory was entered as a predictor of incident dementia across the 15-year follow-up period. They found that each 1-point increase in poor memory as rated by the interviewer (on the 1-5 scale) was associated with a 40% increase in risk of developing dementia at some point over the follow-up period. This association was apparent even after accounting for potential swaying factors such as depression and poor hearing. Whether the interview was face-to-face or over the phone had no effect on the results.

Notably, the association was even stronger among participants with the best objective memory performance (remembering many words from a long list of words) and subjective memory (how well someone perceives their memory to be). Both objective and subjective memory have been useful in detecting cognitive deficits preceding a diagnosis of dementia.

Of particular interest, Sutin said, is that the results were consistent even among participants who scored in the top quartile of memory function at baseline. Such performance on an objective memory test typically suggests that the individual has good cognitive function and is not at risk of impairment.

“This simple rating by an interviewer is predictive of who develops dementia, particularly when traditional measures of memory function do not necessarily detect memory deficits,” Sutin said. “And the association is similar across age, sex, race, ethnicity and education, which suggests it may be broadly predictive across populations. Overall, we believe these findings show that interviewer-rated memory was a good marker of future dementia among the most cognitively healthy.”

Sutin said the findings support growing evidence for the importance of subjective ratings of memory and extends the association to observers who are not necessarily well-acquainted with the target. Clinicians generally rely on family members in gathering information on cognitive function. This study indicates that an interview with a stranger can also provide valuable information on prospective cognitive health.

Based on the findings, a simple interviewer rating has the long-term power to predict who may develop dementia and could be useful for clinicians in providing effective treatment.

Co-authors on the study were Professor Antonio Terracciano and Assistant Professor Martina Luchetti from Florida State University, Darmris Aschwanden of the University of Geneva in Switzerland and Yannick Stephan of the University of Montpellier in France.

This work was supported by the National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health.

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Global consortium to study Pick’s disease, rare form of early-onset dementia

Lynda De Widt

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Pick's disease , a neurodegenerative disease of unknown genetic origin, is a rare type of frontotemporal dementia that affects people under the age of 65. The condition causes changes in personality, behavior and sometimes language impairment. In patients with the disease, tau proteins build up and form abnormal clumps called Pick bodies, which restrict nutrients to the brain and cause neurodegeneration. The only way to diagnose the disease is by looking at brain tissue under a microscope after a person dies.

Researchers at Mayo Clinic in Florida, University College London in England and collaborators worldwide have established the Pick's Disease International Consortium to study a specific MAPT gene variation known as MAPT H2 that makes the tau protein and acts as a driver of disease. They investigated a connection between the gene and disease risk, age at onset, and duration of Pick's disease. Their findings are reported in The Lancet Neurology .

Mayo Clinic researchers identified the first MAPT gene mutations for a behavioral form of dementia in 1998, and other genetic changes associated with related dementias in 2001, which paved the way to understanding the mechanisms of tau-related disease. This new study confirms a tau genetic factor linked specifically to Pick's disease and opens up new avenues of therapeutic design.

"Our research could have profound implications for the development of therapies for Pick's disease and other related neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and progressive supranuclear palsy ," says Owen Ross, Ph.D. , a Mayo Clinic neuroscientist and senior author of the paper. The consortium hosts a database of clinical, pathological and demographic information about patients with the disease who donated their brain tissue for science.

To conduct the study, researchers investigated brain samples of 338 patients confirmed to have Pick's disease to compare with blood samples from 1,312 neurologically healthy individuals. Patients confirmed to have the disease came from 35 brain banks and hospitals in North America, Europe and Australia between 2020 and 2023. The Mayo Clinic Brain Bank was among the sites in the study that provided the largest collection of samples.

Analyzing DNA from the blood samples and brain tissue, the research team recorded baseline information on study participants, including age at disease onset, age at death for those with Pick's disease, and sex and age at blood collection for the control group. Disease duration was calculated by the difference between age at Pick's disease onset and age at death. In addition, the researchers looked at clinical characteristics such as clinical diagnosis, impairment in behavior and language.

"We found that the MAPT H2 genetic variant is associated with an increased risk of Pick's disease in people of European descent," says Dr. Ross. "We were only able to determine that because of the global consortium, which greatly increased the sample size of pathology cases to study with Pick's disease."

The team's next steps are to expand the consortium to the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Latin America, further resolve the genetic architecture of the disease, and assess this specific genetic variant as a biomarker or test for clinical diagnosis of Pick's disease. There is currently no clinical test or diagnosis available for Pick's disease. For the first time, the creation of the consortium may allow for the development of a clinical test.

Funding for this research at Mayo Clinic was supported in part by the National Institutes of Health, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the State of Florida Ed and Ethel Moore Alzheimer’s Disease Research Program, and Mayo Clinic Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. For a full list of authors, collaborating institutions and disclosures, see the paper .

About Mayo Clinic Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the  Mayo Clinic News Network  for additional Mayo Clinic news.

Media contact:  

• Kevin Punsky, Mayo Clinic Communications,  [email protected]  
• Mayo Clinic Minute: Using lasers on the brain to treat seizures Mayo Clinic Minute: Pickleball injuries and prevention

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Philip Sisser B.S.

Prior to joining PAREF, Philip served as a research assistant in the Trace Minerals and Nutrition Lab at Cornell University. His research was primarily centered on how micronutrients found in plants can impact the human digestive system, including mineral absorption as well as the microbiome, which refers to the thousands of bacterial types that live in the human body. After developing the research basis for the study of a small compound found in soybeans, he presented the study’s findings at Cornell University’s research symposium, and subsequently, this work has been published in the peer-reviewed medical journal Nutrients .

Philip’s interest in medicine, and specifically medical research, began while working at Cayuga Medical Center in Ithaca, New York. He has also previously served as an intern in the ophthalmology, gastroenterology, and perioperative care units during a program at the Northshore University Hospital in Manhasset, New York.

Philip has a degree in environmental science from Cornell’s College of Agriculture and Life Science, where he served for two years as an assistant in the chemistry department. Philip also studied at Sorbonne University in Paris and is fluent in French.

Dr. Christine Greer, MD, MS

Christine Greer, MD MS  is a board-certified ophthalmologist who specializes in comprehensive ophthalmology and cataract surgery. Dr. Greer devotes herself to providing patients with the most advanced medical and surgical care in ophthalmology. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated excellence in research, teaching, and foremost, patient care.

After obtaining a Master of Science degree from the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University, Dr. Greer completed medical school at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. There, she was recognized as *The Unsung Hero* for her “quiet, consistent, and unselfish use of unique skills, time, and effort to further the mission of the medical school”. She completed ophthalmology residency training at the prestigious University of Southern California Roski Eye Institute, a U.S. News and World Report top 10 institution, where she served as chief resident. She was honored by her peers for outstanding team leadership and teaching in resident training. She completed additional fellowship training at Weill Cornell Medical College, New York-Presbyterian Hospital. 

Dr. Kellyann Niotis, MD

Kellyann Niotis, MD is the first fellowship-trained preventive neurologist whose mission is to reach and educate as many people as possible who are at-risk for neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy Body Dementia, and Parkinson’s disease. Neurology is known as the medical specialty full of devastating diseases without cures. When she chose to specialize in neurology, she heard this told over and over again. Her goal is to change this conception and bring the field of preventive neurology to the forefront of neurological care.

Dr. Niotis completed her medical internship and neurology residency at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, serving as Chief Resident during her final year and the inaugural McGraw Fellow in Neurology Research. She has also completed a fellowship in movement disorders at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai under the mentorship of Drs. Susan Bressman and Rachel Saunders-Pullman, as well as advanced training in preventive neurology under the mentorship of Dr. Richard Isaacson.

She currently leads the preventive neurology program within Early Medical, a practice focused on the applied science of longevity. Previously, she managed the country’s first Alzheimer’s Prevention Clinic at Weill Cornell Medical College/NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and established Parkinson’s and Lewy Body Prevention Programs.

Her research interest is in personalized risk reduction interventions in patients at risk for neurodegenerative diseases. Her work has been published in peer-reviewed journals including Neurology , Frontiers of Aging Neuroscience , Movement Disorders , Alzheimer’s & Dementia, and Journal of the Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease, and has been presented at national and international conferences. She has received numerous honors and awards, and her opinions have been featured in several popular media outlets including CNN and Healthline.

Dr. Richard S. Isaacson, MD

Dr. Isaacson served as director of the Alzheimer’s Prevention Clinic (APC), Weill Cornell Memory Disorders Program, assistant dean of faculty development, and associate professor of neurology at Weill Cornell Medicine & New York-Presbyterian. With his robust clinical practice and broad background in computer science, m-Health, biotechnology, and web development, he led interwoven clinical research and technology teams at the APC. Isaacson’s team rigorously evaluated the effects of personalized, evidence-based multi-modal interventions on cognition, serum/radiologic biomarkers of AD, and calculated AD and cardiovascular risk.

Isaacson has published novel methods for using a precision medicine approach in real-world clinical practice of risk reduction for AD. He served as principal investigator (PI) for the APC Comparative Effectiveness Dementia & Alzheimer’s study and has served as PI and/or co-PI on several past AD research grants related to AD prevention, treatment, and education.

“Alzheimer’s disease has impacted me on a personal level including my uncle Bob who was diagnosed while I was in high school as well as my cousin who was diagnosed about 15 years ago,” said Isaacson. “I am passionate about applying a comprehensive approach toward both the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease and more recently Parkinson’s and Lewy Body dementia.”

Before his tenure at Weill Cornell Medicine, Isaacson previously served as associate professor of clinical neurology, vice chair of education, and education director of the McKnight Brain Institute in the Department of Neurology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

He completed his residency in neurology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/Harvard Medical School, and his medical internship at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach. Before he joined the University of Miami, he served as associate medical director of the Wien Center for Alzheimer’s disease and Memory Disorders at Mount Sinai.

Isaacson led the development of Alzheimer’s Universe (AlzU.org) a vast online education research portal on AD (more than 2 million unique visitors) with results published in the Journal of the Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease; Journal of Communication in Healthcare, Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions; and Neurology .

Dr. Stuart H. Isaacson, MD

The development of new treatments for Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders, including essential tremor, dystonia, restless legs syndrome, Huntington’s disease, and atypical forms of parkinsonism, has long been the research focus of Dr. Isaacson. He has been involved in over 75 clinical trials and has served on national and international committees for many drug development programs and trials, as well as for the Parkinson Study Group and the movement disorders section of the American Academy of Neurology. Dr. Isaacson has authored or co-authored nearly 100 abstracts, journal articles, and book chapters. He lectures frequently and has presented abstracts at national and international scientific meetings and patient symposiums, and has trained numerous physicians in the injection of botulinum toxins. Dr. Isaacson has worked closely with national foundations, including the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. He is a member of the American Academy of Neurology and the Movement Disorders Society, among others, and has been recognized as Best Doctors in America, America’s Top Physicians, and Florida SuperDoctors.

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The expected jump of alzheimer's disease in florida.

On the Florida Roundup : New research predicts Florida will have one of the fastest growing rates of Alzheimer’s dementia by the middle of this decade.

Florida is getting older. One out of every five residents is older that 65, one of the fastest growing age groups in the state.

Florida also is home to one of the fastest rising rates of Alzheimer’s dementia. The 2022 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures Report from the Alzheimer’s Association projects that almost 750,000 people in Florida will have Alzheimer’s dementia by 2025.

Alzheimer’s dementia is a disease that affects the brain. It eats away at one’s memory and other mental functions. There is no cure .

Joe Baldelomar, program manager of the Alzheimer’s Association’s Southeast Florida chapter, said that the increase stems from better disease-detecting technology as well as a growing aging population.

“Ten years ago, the only way that you could find out that somebody was affected by Alzheimer’s was through an autopsy,” he said.

Biomarkers are one example of technological advancements aiding in diagnosing Alzheimer’s. Biomarkers are the measures used to assess health states in the body, such as using blood to check blood sugar.

Baldelomar said scientists are researching how to use the eye as a biomarker for diabetes, and hopefully down the line using a similar, less invasive method to detect Alzheimer’s.

Early detection is important, and the Alzheimer’s Association has a guide showing the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s. That can be viewed here .

Lisa Wiese, associate professor of nursing at the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing at Florida Atlantic University, described Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias as life-course diseases.

Exposure to things such as trauma, neglect and nutrition loss at a young age can predispose one to these diseases down the line.

Wiese wants everyone to understand that living a brain-healthy lifestyle can help prevent or delay the onset of dementia.

“We now know there are 12 modifiable risk factors that we can change to improve our risk,” she said.

Some of these include getting enough uninterrupted sleep every night, exercising and socializing. A full list of these factors can be found here .

Early detection of possible cognitive decline can make a difference by:

• Increasing the awareness of the need to change one’s health behaviors, which can decrease risk.
• Determining if medications or illnesses that are not well-managed are increasing risk.
• Planning ahead for care that will be needed if a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias is made.

Wiese suggests that we need to adopt proactive attitudes about maintaining brain health. The same way we may regularly get our blood pressure checked, the same has to happen with our brain health.

There are multiple ways to get a baseline reading of your cognitive health. Check first with your provider or at a brain health center such as the Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center at Florida Atlantic University , or the Comprehensive Center for Brain Health at the University of Miami.

To learn more about the warning signs of Alzheimer's, the Florida Department of Elder Affairs has information here

Judge OKs $83 million settlement in Surfside collapse

A Miami judge recently OK'd a financial settlement for the owners and heirs of owners of condominiums in the Champlain Tower South building. It collapsed last summer , killing 98 people.

Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Michael Hanzman approved the $83 million deal. It pays each of the owners of the 136 units in the building proportionally, but much less than the appraised value.

The judge agreed that the settlement will be contingent on the property getting at least $120 million in an auction.

WLRN’s health care reporter Verónica Zaragovia said the payout will be roughly even, but there is some understanding that it’ll also vary depending on how much ownership the owners had of the unit.

“Further details on that allocation will probably be handled closer to then,” she said.

She said the amount they decided on comes from the more-than-$50 million of insurance payouts. This amount was decided after a lengthy mediating process.

The newly elected mayor of Surfside, Shlomo Danzinger, called for a special commission meeting to exclusively talk about Champlain Tower South and the community’s desire for a memorial to the tragedy.

They first tackled what a temporary memorial sign could look like. Zaragovia said it might have the words “gone, but not forgotten” on it, andthe names of the 98 victims.

The commi ssion also decided to hold a memorial event June 24. They will meet again to plan for that in May.

Copyright 2022 WLRN 91.3 FM. To see more, visit WLRN 91.3 FM .

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Alzheimer's Disease Paid Clinical Trials in Florida

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(813) 821-8032, memory disorders clinic.

As one of 15 designated Memory Disorder Clinics in the state of Florida, USF’s world-renowned research is contributing to the progress of Alzheimer's disease and the prevention of other dementias. These research findings directly benefit patient care at USF Health’s Memory Disorders Clinic.

Patients with memory problems are assessed by an interdisciplinary team of specialists. Your evaluation will typically include a thorough medical history, a physical and neurological examination, a psychiatric and neuropsychological evaluation, and laboratory testing. We provide access to state-of-the-art imaging equipment, including MRI, which is located on the USF Health campus.   

Based on this comprehensive diagnostic evaluation and medical diagnosis, the health care providers at USF Health’s Memory Disorders Clinic develop a care plan with a patient’s primary care physician or directly with the patient in many cases. Treatments may include medical care, behavior management, counseling, and referral to community resources, as well as access to new investigational drug therapies being evaluated at USF Health.

Patients with severe memory loss, as well as their families and caregivers, face multiple issues and must sometimes make difficult decisions. The health care team at the USF Health Memory Disorders Clinic offers counseling and helps patients and families navigate these choices. 

In addition, the USF Health Memory Disorders Clinic provides educational programs and services to the community, including support groups, Alzheimer’s associations, assisted living facilities, law enforcement officers, and many others.

At USF Health, we want to make it easy for patients to get the care they need.  

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Join our clinical trial, Preventing Alzheimer's with Cognitive Training (PACT). Call  (813) 974-6703  or visit  www.pactstudy.org  to find out more.

Moms open up about dealing with postpartum depression and psychosis

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Dr. Rosemary Laird, MD

Rosemary Laird, M.D., M.H.S.A is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Geriatrics at the Florida State University School of Medicine. Dr. Laird also now serves as a Principal Investigator for ClinCloud Research in Viera, Florida – Tandem Clinical Research’s network clinic.   Dr. Laird received her medical degree with honors from Georgetown University School of Medicine in 1991. She completed an Internal Medicine residency and Geriatric Fellowship. She is a recognized expert in diagnosing and caring for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and spent 20 years as the Medical Director for two state-designated Memory Disorder Clinics. In 2019, the governor of Florida appointed her to serve on the state’s Alzheimer’s Disease Advisory Committee. She is a sought-after speaker and educator and was named the American Geriatrics Society’s Geriatrician of the Year in 2013. Dr. Laird is a passionate advocate for the support of family caregivers and co-authored the book “Take Your Oxygen First: Preserving Your Health and Happiness While Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s Disease”.

Viera Office

At our Viera office, the latest branch to join the ClinCloud family, we specialize in memory care and gastrointestinal programs. We offer the following services at this office:

• Memory Screenings
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Clinical Trials

Frontotemporal dementia.

Displaying 23 studies

The purpose of this study is to evaluate sporadic (s-) and familial (f-) frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) patients and asymptomatic family members of f-FTLD patients, characterizing the cohorts longitudinally and informing clinical trial design.  FTLD is a neurodegenerative disorder of the nervous system which there are no approved treatments or cures.

The study has two arms: a “longitudinal arm” involving a comprehensive assessment of clinical, functional, imaging, and biofluid data collection, and a “biofluid-focused arm” involving limited clinical data to accompany biospecimen collection.

The purpose of this study is to collect and analyze blood specimens from individuals carrying known familial frontotemporal lobar degeneration (f-FTLD) mutations compared to a control group of individuals without known f-FTLD mutations.  

The primary purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of AL001 compared with placebo in carriers of progranulin gene (GRN) mutations causative of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) as measured by the Clinical Dementia Rating Dementia Staging Instrument PLUS National Alzheimer’s Disease Coordinating Center frontotemporal lobar degeneration Behavior & Language Domains Sum of Boxes (CDR® plus NACC FTLD-SB).

The purposes of this study are to investigate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacodynamics of FRM-0334 in subjects with prodromal to moderate frontotemporal dementia with granulin mutation.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharmacodynamics (PD) of AL001 in participants with a  frontotemporal dementia.

The objectives of the study are to; (1) estimate the change in disease -related cognitive decline over 1 year on a battery of cognitive tests administered to participants with early-stage symptomatic Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia (bvFTD) phenotypic variant; (2) identify the cognitive test or brief battery of cognitive tests which are the most sensitive to detect bvFTD progression; (3) determine the optimal schedule of administration of cognitive tests to detect bvFTD progression; (4) evaluate the relationship between cognitive tests and measures of behavior, function, caregiver's burden, quality of life (QOL); and (5) obtain blood samples for genetic and exploratory biomarkers ...

This study is being done to learn more about normal thinking and behavior, mild thinking and behavior problems, Frontotemporal Dementia and other forms of dementia in families in which one or more relatives have a mutation associated with Frontotemporal Dementia.

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of TRx0237 in the treatment of patients with behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD).

The purpose of this study is to provide subjects who have completed participation in a Phase 2 or Phase 3 trial with TRx0237 continued access to therapy and to evaluate the long-term safety of TRx0237.

The purpose of this study is to collect blood samples for DNA analysis from patients clinically diagnosed with Alzheimers disease, Lewy Body disease, and Frontotemporal degeneration.

The primary objective of this study is to assess the safety and tolerability of TPN-101 in patients with C9ORF72 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)/frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

This study is intended to obtain clinical information and establish a repository of DNA, RNA, peripheral blood monocyte, lymphocyte and skin tissue samples from people with ALS and related neurodegenerative motor neuron diseases, people with a family history of these conditions, and healthy people with no family history of these disorders. The samples will be used in future research to learn about how these disorders affect people, what causes these conditions, and how the investigators can tell when someone has this kind of disease. Future research may also include the generation of stem cells from stored blood cell and skin ...

The purpose of this study is to develop and test the effectiveness of an investigational imaging technique called magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) to measure the stiffness (mechanical properties) of tissues.

The purpose of this study is to collect clinical data, serial blood samples for plasma, serum, DNA and RNA extraction, and a single time blood sample for peripheral blood monocytes for the preparation of stem cell lines and lymphocytes for the preparation of lymphoblastoid cell lines. There will also be a single time skin biopsy sample for tissue examination and preparation of skin fibroblasts from patients who have familial or sporadic ALS, ALS-FTD or similar neurodegenerative motor neuron disorders, and are participating in NINDS funded research projects in the Mayo Clinic ALS Center.

The purpose of this study is to collect CSF and blood samples that can be used in future research studies to identify potential biomarkers in blood and CSF collected in ALS patients. Biomarkers are non-genetic elements in your blood and CSF that may help us diagnose and monitor ALS more easily. There are no readily available sources of longitudinal CSF, plasma or serum samples from people with ALS, ALS-FTD or similar neurodegenerative disorders or their family members for use in the identification of potential ALS biomarkers. Future research will examine potential biomarkers in blood and CSF collected over time to ...

The purpose of this study is to optimize profile questionnaire and matching algorithm developed in Phase I and implement in final website design, and to determine if algorithmically matched participants have statistically significant increase in match satisfaction and self-reported sense of resiliency and quality of life over randomly matched caregivers.

This study is being done to learn more about normal memory and aging, mild memory and thinking problems, Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.

The purpose of this study is to collect and study blood samples that can be used in current and future research studies to identify genetic risk factors in ALS and identify potential biomarkers in blood collected in ALS patients. Biomarkers are non-genetic elements in your blood that may help us diagnose and monitor ALS more easily. There are no readily available sources of longitudinal DNA, RNA, monocytes, serum or plasma from people with ALS, ALS-FTD or similar neurodegenerative disorders or their family members for use in the identification of potential changes in gene structure over time or biomarkers in ALS. ...

The purpose of this study is to facilitate focus groups to assess/identify important qualities and characteristics that dementia caregivers are looking for in a supportive person, and to design a prototype website for matching current and former caregivers.

Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration (FTLD) is the neuropathological term for a collection of rare neurodegenerative diseases that correspond to four main overlapping clinical syndromes: frontotemporal dementia (FTD), primary progressive aphasia (PPA), corticobasal degeneration syndrome (CBS) and progressive supranuclear palsy syndrome (PSPS). The goal of this study is to build a FTLD clinical research consortium to support the development of FTLD therapies for new clinical trials. The consortium, referred to as Advancing Research and Treatment for Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration (ARTFL), will be headquartered at UCSF and will partner with six patient advocacy groups to manage the consortium. Participants will be evaluated at ...

This study is being done to learn more about normal memory and aging, mild memory and thinking problems, Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. This study will help us determine how often memory problems occur in people in our community, and help to identify factors that may influence changes in memory and thinking skills.

The goal of this study is to gain a better understanding of the status of advanced care planning among caregivers of patients with dementia and examine how this differs by race and disease stage.

To further investigate biomarkers in CSF as possible predictors for mild cognitive impairment and dementia

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NATIONAL MINORITY HEALTH MONTH

In celebration of National Minority Health Month, we explore the impact of diversity in clinical trials on public health. Clinical trials play a crucial role in medical research by testing the safety and efficacy of new treatments, making it essential that they accurately reflect the population they aim to serve.

Navigating Alzheimer’s Care: Tips for Memory Loss and Alzheimer’s Disease

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease involves understanding the nuances of memory loss and the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease. This comprehensive guide offers essential tips to optimize Alzheimer’s care while addressing memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease. Educate Yourself about Alzheimer’s: Understanding the symptoms, progression, and challenges associated with

Navigating the Journey of Alzheimer’s Disease: A Guide to Caring for Your Loved Ones

Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease: Alzheimer’s disease primarily affects memory, cognitive functions, and behavior. As a caregiver, educating yourself about the stages and symptoms of Alzheimer’s is crucial. This knowledge will empower you to provide better care and navigate the challenges that may arise. Developing a Routine: Establishing a consistent routine is

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For those who are struggling with memory loss, a memory screen is a step in the right direction to keeping their minds healthy. Apply for a FREE memory screen today!

It’s time to re-think what we know about Alzheimer’s.

Every day, our dedicated team of researchers is working to find ways to prevent dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease. We can’t do it alone. If you’re aged 65 plus, please volunteer for the PACT (Preventing Alzheimer’s with Cognitive Training) Research Study to see if computerized training exercises can reduce the risk of dementia.

Potential Benefits of Computerized Training Exercises

Our research has shown that brain games may: • Protect against dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease • Enhance mental quickness and visual attention • Improve gait speed and balance • Improve driving safety • Maintain health and well-being • Allow you to perform everyday tasks more efficiently • Protect against depression

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If you qualify to help, you will complete 3 study visits lasting no more than 2 hours each at the PACT research study location nearest you, and 45 one-hour sessions on your own, in your own home, over the next 3 years.

Can you help? You may qualify if you:

• Are 65 years of age or older

• Do not have any neurological disorders

• Have not had a stroke or brain injury

• Do not have mild cognitive impairment or dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease

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Study explores possible future for early Alzheimer's diagnostics

Digital memory test and a blood sample -- this combination will be tested for its potential to identify early Alzheimer's disease in a new research study. Over a hundred healthcare centers are part of the study that is now inviting participants to sign up. At least 3,000, preferably many more participants are needed for the study to be successful.

The REAL AD study is the first of its kind in terms of focus and scope. Principal investigators are the University of Gothenburg and the Västra Götaland Region, VGR, which represents a model region for Swedish healthcare. All hundred-plus care centers within VGR Närhälsan, one of the largest primary care providers in Sweden, are included in the study, together with some additional sampling sites.

REAL AD addresses all people aged 50-80 who do not have a diagnosis of dementia and who can go to a care center within VGR Närhälsan. Anyone who meets the criteria can participate regardless of which health center they are listed at.

Tests of memory and thinking ability at home

Starting point is a digital study portal, available in Swedish, English, Finnish and Arabic, where participants receive all information about the study and clear instructions about the next steps. First, cognition, i.e. memory and thinking ability, is tested at home using digital tools for three months. Participants are then invited to provide a blood sample at any of the 111 sampling points around VGR. Participants can complete the digital cognition tests in three additional rounds, after 18, 27 and 36 months, and provide a second blood sample after 18 months. The tests are relatively quick and can be done in all four languages.

The study is led by Michael Schöll, professor at Gothenburg University and research group leader in close collaboration with the co-investigators and a team of project leaders.

- REAL AD is a seriously ambitious project, and it has been an enormous challenge to democratize the study design. It must reflect both urban and rural areas, be accessible to as many participants as possible and involve the entire VGR Närhälsan, which means that even the most remote healthcare centers must be able to participate in terms of sample handling and transport, he says.

Signs of Alzheimer's in a simple blood test

Central hub of the study is a laboratory environment in neurochemistry, located at the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg and the Sahlgrenska University Hospital Mölndal, with professors Kaj Blennow and Henrik Zetterberg at the helm. The researchers will study so-called Alzheimer's biomarkers in the participants' blood samples, which have been shown to be early signs of the disease.

In addition, a separate study will then be conducted enrolling a smaller number of randomly selected participants who are also thoroughly examined clinically at Sahlgrenska University Hospital to confirm the results of the digital cognition tests and blood analyses. The clinical part of the study is carried out at the university hospital memory clinic in collaboration with professor and senior physician Silke Kern.

Knowledge base for healthcare and research

The research focuses on the potential for early diagnosis based on digital cognitive tests and blood markers. If the combination of the tools works to detect early signs of disease in the general population, the hope is that they will be used in primary care in the future to follow individuals over time and identify Alzheimer's with greater certainty and much earlier than is often the case today.

"The need for earlier diagnosis is widely accepted, also in view of the new treatments that are around the corner. Many if not most diagnoses are made in primary care in Sweden, so diagnostics must be strengthened there, and knowledge is needed about whether it will be feasible to screen for Alzheimer's in the general population. In the short term, society does not have the resources to establish a lot of new specialized memory clinics," says Michael Schöll.

"The study is important, and the timing is perfect. We are closer than ever before to a treatment option for Alzheimer's, but we are not sufficiently prepared," he says.

The study needs at least 3,000 participants but has capacity to enroll up to 10,000 volunteers. It is accompanied by information via Närhälsan and several other marketing efforts.

Research ethics do not allow researchers to share individual information with participants since experimental tools are used. Individuals do thus not receive a cognitive rating or diagnosis, and their participation is unpaid.

"What we are offering is participation in a community where we will actively inform about progresses in Alzheimer's research, also via information meetings, which we know many people are asking for. By participating in the study, you also help our healthcare to prepare for an enormous challenge," concludes Michael Schöll.

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• Use of antipsychotics...

Use of antipsychotics in adults with dementia

Linked research.

Multiple adverse outcomes associated with antipsychotic use in people with dementia

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• Peer review
• Raya Elfadel Kheirbek , professor of medicine 1 2 ,
• Cristina LaFon , research coordinator 1
• 1 Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
• 2 Geriatrics Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
• Correspondence to: R E Kheirbek rkheirbek{at}som.umaryland.edu

New study identifies a wider range of associated harm

The linked study by Mok and colleagues (doi: 10.1136/bmj-2023-076268 ) provides new insights into the risks associated with use of antipsychotics in dementia care. 1 This population based matched cohort design compared the incidence of serious adverse outcomes, including stroke, venous thromboembolism, myocardial infarction, heart failure, fracture, pneumonia, and acute kidney injury, in adults (≥50 years) with dementia who were prescribed antipsychotics versus those who did not use antipsychotics.

Using data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) database in England, the study included 35 339 adults with dementia who had just been prescribed antipsychotics for the first time, within a broader population of 173 910 adults with dementia. The authors found significantly increased risks for nearly all evaluated adverse outcomes in antipsychotic users, with especially steep increases for pneumonia (hazard ratio 2.19, 95% confidence interval 2.10 to 2.28), acute kidney injury (1.72, 1.61 to 1.84), stroke (1.61, 1.52 to 1.71), and venous thromboembolism (1.62, 1.46 to 1.80) within the first 90 days after a prescription.

Mok and colleagues’ research expands the number and type of documented risks associated with antipsychotics in the management of dementia. Their study discovered that risks extend beyond stroke and mortality to include a wider range of serious adverse health outcomes. Risks were found to be highest shortly after treatment initiation, underscoring the need for increased caution in the early stages of treatment. By distinguishing between typical and atypical antipsychotic agents and detailing drug specific risks, the findings of this study will equip healthcare professionals with more nuanced data to help guide personalized treatment decisions.

The authors acknowledge that information on indications for antipsychotic treatment was unavailable. This study limitation is important because understanding the specific indications for antipsychotic treatment (eg, for behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, or for other reasons) could provide deeper insights into the study’s findings, particularly about the risk-benefit balance of antipsychotic use in adults with dementia.

The authors minimized the risk of confounding using propensity score methods to adjust for observable characteristics that might influence the initiation of antipsychotic treatment. However, they also confirmed that unlike randomized controlled trials, which can account for both observed and unobserved differences between treatment groups, their study could only adjust for observed differences—acknowledging a limitation inherent to all observational research: the inability to fully account for all potential confounding factors.

Widely used

Antipsychotics are widely used to manage behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia despite well documented and substantial risks of harm (including higher mortality). 2 3 4 International guidelines advise restricting use to adults with severe behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, 5 6 but the rate of prescribing has risen in recent years, most notably during the covid-19 pandemic as a result of increased distress caused by loneliness, social isolation measures, and reduced access to alternative treatments. 7

Mok and colleagues highlight the need for careful justification of antipsychotic use in dementia care, including a comprehensive assessment of the benefits weighed against a broader range of serious harms than previously acknowledged. Duration of treatment should be minimized, the need for treatment should be regularly reassessed, non-drug options should be explored first, and guidelines should be updated to reflect the wider spectrum of risks associated with antipsychotics.

Perhaps the biggest challenge to reducing use of these drugs is the relative scarcity of effective non-drug alternatives. One review found only a few interventions—including cognitive stimulation, selected behavior management therapies, and specific types of education for caregivers and residential care staff—to have some evidence of any lasting effectiveness. 8 Their implementation, too, often required substantial resources, such as highly trained staff with adequate time and specialized equipment, and the drugs were usually ineffective for patients with severe symptoms.

Using antipsychotics for the management of dementia related behaviors requires nuanced decision making after careful assessment, informed by a personalized approach. 9 Mok and colleagues call for a critical re-evaluation of antipsychotic use in this clinical setting. Their study clearly identified a broader spectrum of adverse effects than previously acknowledged, and it advocates for a comprehensive review of risks and benefits, prioritization of non-drug strategies, and exploration of alternative therapies. Increased priority on more patient centric care, tailored care plans, regular reassessment of management options, and a move away from the overprescription of antipsychotics is overdue.

Competing interests: The BMJ has judged that there are no disqualifying financial ties to commercial companies. The authors declare the following other interests: None.

Further details of The BMJ policy on financial interests can be found here: https://www.bmj.com/sites/default/files/attachments/resources/2016/03/16-current-bmj-education-coi-form.pdf .

Provenance and peer review: Commissioned; not externally peer reviewed.

• Guthrie B ,
• Steinberg M ,
• Lyketsos CG
• Fochtmann LJ ,
• Kheirbek RE ,
• Little JT ,
• ↵ NICE. Dementia: Assessment, management and support for people living with dementia and their carers. NICE guideline [NG97]. 2018. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng97
• Rabins PV ,
• Blacker D ,
• Rovner BW ,
• APA Work Group on Alzheimer’s Disease and other Dementias ,
• Steering Committee on Practice Guidelines
• Gitlin LN ,
• Treloar A ,
• Prasanna A ,

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About 1 in 10 restaurants in the U.S. serve Mexican food

Mexican culture is widely established in America’s restaurants. Some 11% of restaurants in the United States serve Mexican food, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of data from SafeGraph , which curates information about millions of places of interest around the globe, and the user review site Yelp.

Although especially common in California and Texas, Mexican restaurants are found in a large majority of counties in the U.S. Some 37.2 million people in the U.S. trace their ancestry to Mexico , making Mexican Americans by far the largest Hispanic origin group in the nation.

Pew Research Center conducted this analysis to examine the geographic distribution and characteristics of Mexican restaurants in the United States, including Puerto Rico. We focused on Mexican restaurants because Mexican Americans are the nation’s largest Hispanic origin group – and because Mexican food is so widespread in the U.S. Throughout this analysis, we use phrases such as “Mexican restaurants” and “restaurants that serve Mexican food” interchangeably.

To conduct this analysis, we purchased restaurant data from  SafeGraph , which curates information about millions of places of interest around the globe. “Restaurants” are places defined by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) as “Restaurants and Other Eating Places” (NAICS code 7225). When we collected this data on March 23, 2023, SafeGraph had records for 788,018 operational restaurants nationwide.

We used SafeGraph’s  category tags to build an initial list of Hispanic or Latino restaurants in America. This list includes restaurants tagged with the following categories: Argentine, Brazilian, Cuban, Mexican, Peruvian, Portuguese and Spanish, along with catchall categories for “Caribbean food” and “Latin American food.” 

As part of this analysis, we also matched the restaurants in the SafeGraph data with data from the review site Yelp, using the official Yelp API . We matched the Yelp restaurant identifiers (restaurant name and address) to the corresponding restaurants in the SafeGraph dataset using Python’s FastLink package, an implementation of the Fellegi-Sunter probabilistic record linkage model. This matching supplemented the SafeGraph data with more detailed food origin and dish categories, as well as restaurant details such as average price range.

Of the 101,009 restaurants with some sort of Hispanic or Latino food category tag in the SafeGraph data, we were able to find matching entries for 92,718 restaurants (92%) on Yelp. After examining a selection of unmatched restaurants, we found two main reasons why. In some cases, the business did not have any reviews on Yelp (the Yelp API does not return information for businesses with no user-contributed enhancements ). In other cases, these restaurants had closed between the time we purchased the SafeGraph data in March 2023 and when we conducted the Yelp matching in September 2023.

After matching the original SafeGraph records with the Yelp data, the final combined dataset included restaurants serving the following types of Hispanic or Latino food: Argentine, Brazilian, Colombian, Cuban, Dominican, Haitian, Honduran, Mexican, Nicaraguan, Peruvian, Portuguese, Puerto Rican, Salvadoran, Spanish, Trinidadian and Venezuelan, as well as categories for “Caribbean food” and “Latin American food.” Our analysis of restaurants other than Mexican is limited due to the small number tagged this way.

The data also included tags for specific types of food such as “Tex-Mex,” “tacos” and “empanadas.” Restaurants with “Tex-Mex” and “tacos” tags are included in the “Mexican food” category, while those tagged with “empanadas” are included in the “Latin American food” category, unless the restaurant is already tagged with a more specific category.

Individual restaurants can be tagged with multiple categories. For instance, a restaurant may include tags for “Mexican food” and “Salvadoran food.” These restaurants are counted under all categories listed in the dataset.

County-level population estimates for the U.S. come from table B01003 of the American Community Survey’s 5-year 2019 estimates, which include counties and county equivalents (such as Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska).

Which states and counties have the most Mexican restaurants?

This analysis finds that 85% of U.S. counties have at least one Mexican restaurant. In turn, the counties that don’t have Mexican restaurants tend to have small populations. The 15% of counties without any Mexican restaurants have about 4 million people living in them. That is just 1% of the total U.S. population.

Related: 71% of Asian restaurants in the U.S. serve Chinese, Japanese or Thai food

Mexican restaurants are most common in California and Texas. These two states, which are home to a majority of the Mexican American population , have around 40% of all Mexican restaurants in the country: 22% are in California, while 17% are in Texas.

In California, Los Angeles County alone is home to 30% of the state’s Mexican restaurants. In Texas, 17% of the state’s Mexican restaurants are in Harris County, which includes Houston; 9% each are located in Bexar County, which includes San Antonio, and in Dallas County.

Florida, New York and Illinois also contain large numbers of Mexican restaurants. Each state has 4% of the nationwide total of these restaurants. All told, 51% of all Mexican restaurants in the U.S. are in California, Texas, Florida, New York or Illinois.

Where do Mexican restaurants make up the largest share of eateries?

In addition to examining which parts of the country have the most Mexican restaurants, we also looked at where they make up the largest share of restaurants.

By this metric, Mexican restaurants make up an especially large share of all restaurants in Southwestern states that border Mexico. They account for 22% of all restaurants in New Mexico, 20% in Texas, 18% in Arizona and 17% in California.

At the county level, there are 10 where Mexican restaurants account for more than 33% of all restaurants. Eight of these 10 counties are in Texas, and most are along the U.S.-Mexico border. (This analysis excludes counties that have fewer than 15 restaurants of any type.)

What are some common features of Mexican restaurants?

This analysis finds that 22% of Mexican restaurants nationwide are “fast food” restaurants, 12% specialize in serving tacos, 8% are classified as food trucks or carts, and 6% offer “Tex-Mex” food.

Mexican restaurants also tend to be modestly priced. Among restaurants with pricing data, 61% of Mexican restaurants are rated as one “dollar sign” on Yelp’s four-point pricing scale. Less than 1% of all Mexican restaurants nationwide – just 251 in total – have a rating of three or four dollar signs on the Yelp scale. Around a quarter of these more expensive Mexican restaurants are in Los Angeles County; Cook County, where Chicago is located; and New York County, home of Manhattan.

How common are other types of Latino or Hispanic restaurants in the U.S.?

Mexican Americans are the largest Hispanic group in the U.S., but 40% of the nation’s Latinos claim another Hispanic origin . Yet our analysis finds that only 2% of U.S. restaurants serve Hispanic or Latino cuisine other than Mexican.

The most common types of non-Mexican Hispanic restaurants include Caribbean, Cuban, “Latin American,” Peruvian, Salvadoran and Spanish restaurants. But none makes up more than 1% of restaurants nationwide. (There are other types of Hispanic restaurants in addition to these, but they each make up 0.1% or less of restaurants nationwide and are not included in this analysis.)

Put differently, Mexican restaurants account for the vast majority of Hispanic or Latino restaurants of any kind. And although many non-Mexican restaurants also offer Mexican food, the reverse is less often true. For example, 38% of Salvadoran and 25% of Honduran restaurants in the U.S. also serve Mexican food. But just 3% of Mexican restaurants also serve other kinds of Hispanic or Latino food.

Hispanic or Latino restaurants that are not Mexican are also much less geographically widespread than Mexican restaurants. Fully 85% of U.S. counties have at least one Mexican restaurant, but 29% have some type of Latino or Hispanic restaurant that is not primarily Mexican.

These Latino or Hispanic restaurants make up a relatively large share of restaurants in places like Florida – especially in and around Miami-Dade County – or in New York and New Jersey near New York City. But even in these areas, Mexican restaurants make up for a comparable – and sometimes larger – share of all restaurants than those serving other Hispanic or Latino food.

• Hispanics/Latinos
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Regina Widjaya is a computational social scientist focusing on data science at Pew Research Center

Sono Shah is an associate director focusing on data science at Pew Research Center

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