In February 2023, Vanderbilt Memory and Aging Project participant Tonya Brown shared her study experience with Newschannel5 including why she encourages others to get involved.
Black and African American people are nearly twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease as their White counterparts but are underrepresented in research.
“A lot of African Americans are afraid to get involved in research, but times have changed,” said Brown. “Anything that I can provide to help find a cure — I feel that I am making a difference.”
Her family history of the disease inspired Brown to get involved in the study, and her faith and opportunity to make a difference for future generations continues to drive her.