Alzheimer’s risk in African Americans: uncovering genetic clues
Official title: The Origins of Alzheimer Disease in African Americans
Funded at University of Miami School of Medicine · NIH-11540208 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to learn how genetic factors contribute to Alzheimer's risk in African American communities to improve understanding and prevention.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Miami School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Coral Gables, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $68,030 |
| NIH project number | 3R01AG072547-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11540208 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
African American individuals and families with or without Alzheimer’s disease who may contribute genetic data or participate in study designs.
✕Less likely to help
Results may not directly help individuals who do not have a family history or genetic link to Alzheimer’s disease.
What this research studies
This project looks at how genes and ancestry influence who gets Alzheimer’s disease in African American individuals. It uses family studies and large-scale genetic data to identify risk variants that may be unique to this population. By combining genetic information with environmental and cultural factors, it seeks clues for personalized prevention and potential drug targets. The work builds on existing sequencing efforts and aims to expand representation from African American groups in Alzheimer’s research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to better, more personalized prevention and treatment strategies for African American patients at risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have shown population-specific genetic risk variants in Alzheimer’s, but African American representation has been limited, making this research both needed and promising.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Miami School of Medicine
Coral Gables, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pericak-Vance, Margaret a. — University of Miami School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Pericak-Vance, Margaret a.
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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.