A 10‐year behavioral and social sciences research agenda for ADRD: Reflections on a new national academies report

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundThe National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine was charged with developing a ten‐year agenda for research in the behavioral and social sciences that would substantially contribute to reducing the burden of ADRD.MethodThe report was developed by a committee of individuals with expertise across a range of disciplines and fields, including dementia research. The committee was charged with assessing the role of the social and behavioral sciences in reducing the burden of dementia. The committee held several evidence‐gathering sessions, reviewed published literature, commissioned several papers, and engaged individuals living with dementia and caregivers as a part of an Advisory Panel to the committee.ResultThe committee’s report will be published in spring 2021, after undergoing the National Academies' rigorous review process. The report will include conclusions and recommendations about the following topics: (1) research using the methods of behavioral and social sciences on the burden of AD/ADRD on individuals, families, medical and long‐term care systems; (2) challenges associated with AD/ADRD care; (3) intervention development for persons with dementia and their caregivers at different stages of illness; (4) cognitive and AD/ADRD epidemiology; (5) factors affecting AD/ADRD prevention, leveraging basic and translational research on behavioral and social pathways to AD/ADRD and cognitive decline; (6) detection of AD/ADRD‐related change; (7) causes and consequences of AD/ADRD health disparities; and (8) AD/ADRD data infrastructure needs.ConclusionThe report will include conclusions and recommendations to guide behavioral and social science research in the coming decade that could reduce the burden of ADRD.