President Donald Trump’s recent executive order banning diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEI/DEIA) initiatives across the federal government has sent shockwaves through the scientific community, particularly in Alzheimer’s research. The order, which labels DEI work as “radical,” “wasteful,” and “immoral,” has terminated related offices and positions, potentially undermining trial diversity and impeding the quest for effective Alzheimer’s treatments.
Maria Glymour, a Boston University professor of epidemiology, warns that this mandate is “a big step backward for the quality of the science.” She emphasizes the critical importance of studying diverse populations to understand how Alzheimer’s affects different groups and to ensure that diagnostic tools and treatments are effective for everyone.
The ban could reverse recent progress in clinical trial diversity. For instance, while earlier trials for anti-amyloid drugs like Aduhelm included minimal representation of Black and Hispanic participants, more recent studies for drugs like Kisunla and Leqembi showed improved diversity. Glymour notes, “There absolutely has to be a lot of pressure and accountability to achieve inclusion in these trials.”
Neil Weisman, president of Continuum Clinical, suggests that individual trial sites may need to intensify their efforts to maintain diversity in research. He states, “My hope (and belief) is that sites will be the ones to double down on their efforts and assure momentum isn’t lost.”
The executive order’s far-reaching implications extend beyond federal agencies, potentially affecting private entities and educational institutions. As the scientific community grapples with these changes, concerns grow about the future of inclusive research and its impact on developing treatments for Alzheimer’s and other diseases that affect diverse populations differently.
See: “‘Unsettling:’ Federal DEI Ban a ‘Step Backward’ for Alzheimer’s Trials” (January 30th, 2025)
