Diversity and reporting of race, ethnicity, and biological sex in human neuroimaging studies Open Access

Abstract

To ensure translation and generalizability of results from biomedical studies, it is imperative to include diverse subjects. Evidence suggests demographic traits such as race, sex, and ethnicity are associated with differential outcomes in patient populations. Previous studies have examined the state of diversity in multiple fields and observed biomedical studies underreport and underrepresent several demographic groups. We conducted a systematic review to provide quantitative data about the state of reporting and reported diversity in neuroimaging studies published between 2010-2020. The final data analysis was performed using 408 articles. While a majority of studies report sex (77%), a minority report race (10%) and ethnicity (4%). Among the reported diversity, we observed nearly equal representation of both biological sexes, as well as nearly equal representation of ethnicity (Hispanic and non-Hispanic). Across all articles reporting race, a majority of participants were White. Our data shows a lack of reporting and inclusion of several racial groups in neuroimaging studies. Future steps to increase diversity may include guidelines for publishers, researchers, and institutions that mandate transparent reporting of demographic information and mandated inclusion of underrepresented minority groups. 

Table of Contents

Introduction……………….……………………...............................................…………………………………………..……1

Demographic Reporting and Diversity in Biomedical Research…………...................................……..….……..………1

Methods…...…………………………………………….…………...............................................……………...……..……….3

Results and Discussion…………….………………………............................……………………………..……………………6

Biological sex is largely reported, and males and females are equally represented in neuroimaging studies………………………………………………………..................................................................….………………..…8

Race and ethnicity are underreported in neuroimaging studies…………………...................................…………..….11

Reporting varies according to disease of focus………..………………….......................................………………………15

Reporting demographics varies across age cohorts.…………………….......................................………………….……19

NIH funding and reported diversity……………….…………………….…........……………………..…………………………..24

Demographics reported as a function of publisher……………….………….....................................………..………….26

Barriers to reporting in neuroscience and neuroimaging research……….….................................……………………28

Outlook and future recommendations…………….………………………………................…………………………………..29

Conclusions………………………………………….………………….………..............................................………….……30

References………………………………….…………………………...............................................…………………………31

About this Honors Thesis

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School	Emory College
Department	Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology
Degree	B.S.
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Biology, Neuroscience
Keyword	Ethnicity Diversity Race Neuroimaging Sex
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Fleischer, Candace, Emory University
Committee Members	Borich, Michael, Emory University Hue, Gillian, Emory University

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	Appendix_1 (Complete data for included 408 articles in data analysis.)	2022-04-12 02:02:54 -0400	Press to Select an action Download