Cognition research in LGBTQIA+ groups: What’s it mean for Alzheimer’s research?

Older adults who are members of sexual and gender minoritized (SGM) communities, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual and other identity (LGBTQIA+) groups, are at high risk of cognitive problems and caregiving deficits. Sexual orientation is a social and structural determinant of health (SSDOH), impacting cognitive health and medical management as members of SGM groups encounter social and structural barriers that could be impacting cognition directly and indirectly, and research is needed to understand pathways that lead to those elevated risks. So, what type of cognition research is being conducted with LGBTQIA+ groups and how does it herald inclusion of these groups in Alzheimer’s studies?