Blood markers and lifestyle factors that affect Alzheimer's risk
Project 2: Biomarker Analysis, Non-Genetic Risk Factors, and Their Genetic Interactions
This project looks at blood proteins and non-genetic risks in people from diverse backgrounds to help make Alzheimer's diagnosis and prevention fairer and earlier.
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-11160756 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You'll be asked to give blood and health information so researchers can measure proteins linked to Alzheimer's (like Aβ42/40, tau-181, NfL, and GFAP) and compare results across different racial and ethnic groups. The team will check whether blood biomarker cutoffs developed in mainly European-ancestry groups work the same way for Asian and other populations. They will also study how lifestyle and other non-genetic factors interact with genetics to change Alzheimer's risk. The goal is to improve diagnostic accuracy and make sure diverse people can take part in future prevention and treatment efforts.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are older adults or people at risk for Alzheimer's from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds who can provide blood samples and basic health and lifestyle information.
Not a fit: People needing an immediate treatment to relieve symptoms or whose memory problems are due to non-Alzheimer causes may not get direct benefit from this observational biomarker work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more accurate, earlier blood-based diagnosis and better-tailored prevention strategies for people from many backgrounds.
How similar studies have performed: Blood biomarkers like Aβ42/40, phosphorylated tau-181, NfL, and GFAP have shown promise in mainly European-ancestry studies, but applying and validating thresholds in Asian and other diverse groups is less tested.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yokoyama, Jennifer S — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Yokoyama, Jennifer S
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.