Alzheimer's brain changes in Hispanic people after death
The Neuropathologic Landscape of Alzheimer's Disease in Hispanic Decedents
This project looks at patterns of Alzheimer's-related changes in the brains of Hispanic people who have died to learn how the disease may differ by ethnicity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11162376 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers compare brain tissue from people who identified as Hispanic with tissue from non-Hispanic White decedents to map where Alzheimer-related changes occur. They used standardized histology and examined thousands of stained slides along with clinical and demographic records from three medical centers. Early results found higher densities of neuritic plaques and neuropil threads in the frontal cortex of Hispanic decedents versus matched non-Hispanic White decedents. The work aims to clarify biological differences that could help explain variations in symptoms and disease course across ethnic groups.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are older Hispanic adults (or their families) willing to join brain donation programs or contribute clinical information for post-mortem research.
Not a fit: People who cannot or will not participate in brain donation, or those looking for immediate treatment, are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If confirmed, these findings could help clinicians recognize ethnic patterns of Alzheimer's brain changes and lead to more personalized diagnosis and care for Hispanic patients.
How similar studies have performed: Other autopsy-based studies have identified ethnoracial differences in Alzheimer's pathology, but this multi-center focus on Hispanic decedents at this scale is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Davis, United States
- University of California at Davis — Davis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dugger, Brittany Nicole — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Dugger, Brittany Nicole
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.