Alzheimer's genetics in Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese older adults
Asian Cohort for Alzheimer's Disease (ACAD)
This project will collect DNA, blood samples, and health information from Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese older adults to learn how genes and biomarkers relate to Alzheimer's and memory loss.
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-11391755 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This effort will enroll over 5,000 Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese adults aged 60 and older across metropolitan areas in the U.S. and Canada through community clinics and long-term care partners. Researchers will collect DNA, plasma biomarkers, and standardized health and memory information using validated translated questionnaires and clinical protocols. The team includes physicians, geneticists, and community outreach partners to make participation culturally appropriate and easier to join. The goal is to fill a gap in Alzheimer’s genetic knowledge for Asian American communities and help make future risk prediction and care more inclusive.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults aged 60 or older of Chinese, Korean, or Vietnamese ancestry living in the U.S. or Canada, including those with memory concerns or who are currently cognitively healthy, are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People under 60, those not of the specified Asian ancestries, or individuals unwilling or unable to provide blood or DNA samples are unlikely to qualify or directly benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could improve understanding of Alzheimer risk in Asian communities and support more accurate risk prediction and tailored prevention or treatment research for these groups.
How similar studies have performed: Genetic studies have successfully identified Alzheimer risk genes in mainly European-ancestry groups, so while the methods are proven, a large U.S./Canadian Asian cohort like this is novel and addresses underrepresentation.
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.