Asian Cohort for Alzheimer’s Disease (ACAD)
Official title: Asian Cohort for Alzheimer's Disease (ACAD)
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11538477 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large study will recruit Asian Americans or Canadians with Alzheimer’s-related concerns to study genetic and biomarker clues to the disease.
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) | $273,267 |
| NIH project number | 3U19AG079774-04S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11538477 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older adults (60+) of Chinese, Korean, or Vietnamese descent in the US or Canada who are willing to provide DNA, plasma samples, and health information.
✕Less likely to help
People outside the targeted Asian ancestry groups or those unwilling to provide biological samples may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project will enroll about 5,081 participants aged 60+ of Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese ancestry from the US and Canada, collecting DNA and plasma biomarkers along with culturally translated questionnaires. Researchers will analyze genetic risk factors for Alzheimer’s in Asian populations to improve understanding beyond what has been learned mainly from European ancestry. The study is designed to be collaborative with community partners and healthcare facilities serving Asian communities to support recruitment and data collection. Participants may contribute blood samples and health information that could inform future personalized approaches to diagnosis and care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Findings could lead to more accurate risk assessment and earlier, more tailored care for Asian individuals affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
How similar studies have gone: This is one of the first large-scale genetics cohorts focusing on Asian populations for Alzheimer’s, building on lessons from prior multi-ethnic studies.
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.