Asian Cohort for Alzheimer’s Disease (ACAD)
Official title: Asian Cohort for Alzheimer's Disease (ACAD)
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11538476 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large U.S. and Canada study aims to collect genetic and biomarker data from 5,081 older Asian Americans to better understand Alzheimer’s disease in this population.
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 start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $595,080 |
| NIH project number | 3U19AG079774-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11538476 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older adults (60+) of Chinese, Korean, or Vietnamese ancestry living in US or Canada who are willing to provide DNA and plasma samples and complete study assessments.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals who do not belong to the targeted Asian ancestry groups or who are unwilling to participate may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project will recruit adults 60+ who identify as Chinese, Korean, or Vietnamese to donate DNA and plasma samples and complete translated clinical forms. Researchers will gather genetic data and biomarker information to explore how Alzheimer’s disease affects Asian communities differently. The study is designed to build a large, diverse resource that can inform future treatments and prevention strategies for AD in these populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Improved understanding of how Alzheimer’s disease develops in Asian Americans, which could lead to more targeted diagnostics and therapies.
How similar studies have gone: This represents a major expansion of AD genetics research to underrepresented Asian populations, with prior AD genetics studies largely focusing on European ancestry.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Li-San — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Wang, Li-San
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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.