Alzheimer's genetics for Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese older adults
Asian Cohort for Alzheimer's Disease (ACAD)
Collecting DNA and blood markers from older Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese adults in the US and Canada to learn what changes Alzheimer's risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11160732 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I join, researchers will enroll people age 60 or older who are of Chinese, Korean, or Vietnamese ancestry from cities across the US and Canada. They will collect DNA and plasma samples and use translated questionnaires and clinical/diagnostic protocols to record memory, health history, and other relevant measures. The team will work with community health providers and long-term care facilities to make participation accessible and culturally appropriate. Collected data will be compared within this cohort and to other groups to find genetic and biomarker signals linked to Alzheimer's in Asian communities.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults aged 60 or older who identify as Chinese, Korean, or Vietnamese and live in the US or Canada are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People under 60, those not of Chinese/Korean/Vietnamese ancestry, or those seeking immediate treatment changes are unlikely to receive direct benefit from joining.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This could reveal genetic and blood markers that improve risk prediction and lead to more inclusive diagnosis or future treatments for Asian American patients.
How similar studies have performed: Large genetic studies in mainly European-ancestry groups have identified many Alzheimer's risk genes, but similar large-scale efforts in Asian American populations are novel and currently limited.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Li-San — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Wang, Li-San
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.