Alzheimer's genetics in Jewish and Arab communities
Genetic Studies of Alzheimer's Disease in Jewish and Arab Populations
This work looks at how genes in Jewish and Arab people from the Middle East and North Africa might change their chances of getting Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11391533 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, researchers will collect a blood or saliva sample and health information from Jewish and Arab people from the Middle East and North Africa who live in Israel. They will analyze your DNA using genome-wide scans and compare it to others to find genetic differences linked to Alzheimer's, focusing on variants that are rare or absent in people of European ancestry. The team will combine genetic data with information about lifestyle and environment and include both people with Alzheimer's and those without symptoms. This work builds on past discoveries in these communities and aims to find genes that could explain different Alzheimer's risks.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people of Jewish or Arab descent from the Middle East and North Africa—including those with Alzheimer's and those without symptoms—especially residents of Israel.
Not a fit: People who are not of MENA Jewish or Arab ancestry, or those seeking immediate treatment, are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this genetic discovery work right away.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could identify genetic risk factors specific to Jewish and Arab MENA populations that help improve risk prediction, diagnosis, or future targeted treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Previous genetic studies in European populations and prior work in these Israeli Jewish and Arab groups have already found Alzheimer's-associated genes, so the approach has a track record of discovery.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston University Medical Campus — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Farrer, Lindsay a. — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Farrer, Lindsay a.
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.