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. 2024 Apr;20(4):3088-3098.
doi: 10.1002/alz.13725. Epub 2024 Feb 13.

INviting Veterans InTo Enrollment in Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers (INVITE-ADRC): An NIA and VA-sponsored initiative to increase veteran participation in aging and dementia research

Claudia B Padula  1 , Sherry Ball  2 , Mary F Wyman  3 , Kirsten Evans  4 , Harli Grant  5 , Vyjeyanthi S Periyakoil  6 , Carolyn W Zhu  4 , Kristine Yaffe  5 , Grant D Huang  7
Affiliations

INviting Veterans InTo Enrollment in Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers (INVITE-ADRC): An NIA and VA-sponsored initiative to increase veteran participation in aging and dementia research

Claudia B Padula et al. Alzheimers Dement. 2024 Apr.

Abstract

Introduction: Older military veterans often present with unique and complex risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementias. Increasing veteran participation in research studies offers one avenue to advance the field and improve health outcomes.

Methods: To this end, the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) partnered to build infrastructure, improve collaboration, and intensify targeted recruitment of veterans. This initiative, INviting Veterans InTo Enrollment in Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers (INVITE-ADRC), provided funding for five sites and cross-site organizing structure. Diverse and innovative recruitment strategies were used.

Results: Across five sites, 172 veterans entered registries, and 99 were enrolled into ADRC studies. Of the enrolled, 39 were veterans from historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups.

Conclusions: This initiative laid the groundwork to establish sustainable relationships between the VA and ADRCs. The partnership between both federal agencies demonstrates how mutual interests can accelerate progress. In turn, efforts can help our aging veterans.

Keywords: Department of Veterans Affairs; National Institute on Aging; dementia; recruitment; veterans.

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Conflict of interest statement

The opinions expressed in this article are the authors’ own and do not reflect the view of the National Institutes of Health, Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Health and Human Services, or the United States government. None of the authors have any conflicts of interest to disclose. Author disclosures are available in the supporting information.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Geographical distribution of the five selected sites for INVITE‐ADRC. INVITE‐ADRC, INviting Veterans InTo Enrollment in Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers; NIA, National Institute on Aging.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
A, Recruitment sources used across sites, both within the VA and in community settings. B, VA‐specific clinics and programs amenable to collaborating with ADRCs. ADRCs, Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers; VA, Department of Veterans Affairs.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Cumulative veteran enrollment numbers across the five sites (October 2020–March 2023). ADRC, Alzheimer's Disease Research Center.
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