Featured ArticleThe Predictors study: Development and baseline characteristics of the Predictors 3 cohort

IntroductionThe Predictors study was designed to predict the length of time to major disease outcomes in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. Here, we describe the development of a new, Predictors 3, cohort.MethodsPatients with prevalent or incident AD and individuals at-risk for developing AD were selected from the North Manhattan community and followed annually with instruments comparable to those used in the original two Predictors cohorts.ResultsThe original Predictors cohorts were clinic based and racially/ethnically homogenous (94% white, 6% black; 3% Hispanic). In contrast, the 274 elders in this cohort are community-based and ethnically diverse (39% white, 40% black, 21% other; 78% Hispanic). Confirming previous observations, psychotic features were associated with poorer function and mental status and extrapyramidal signs with poorer function.DiscussionThis new cohort will allow us to test observations made in our original clinic-based cohorts in patients that may be more representative of the general community.