Blood proteins linked to memory loss risk in Black and White adults
Proteomic biomarkers of incident cognitive impairment in Black and White adults
Researchers will look at many proteins in blood to find which ones are linked to future memory or thinking problems in Black and White adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11308266 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses blood samples and long-term health data from a large U.S. group of Black and White adults (the REGARDS cohort). Scientists will measure about 3,072 plasma proteins, including more than 700 inflammation-related proteins, and compare levels between people who later developed cognitive impairment and those who did not. They will connect protein patterns to age, heart and metabolic health, and social factors like education and stress to help explain why dementia risk differs by race. The goal is to find blood markers that signal higher risk of cognitive decline earlier so people can get closer monitoring or prevention.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are U.S. Black or White adults aged 21 or older with available blood samples and long-term cognitive and health follow-up, such as participants in the REGARDS cohort.
Not a fit: People without stored blood samples or without ongoing cognitive follow-up, and those whose memory problems come from non-AD causes, may not directly benefit from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to blood tests that identify people—especially Black adults—who are at higher risk of future memory or thinking problems so they can get earlier monitoring or preventive care.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier studies have found some blood protein signatures linked to Alzheimer-related decline, but this large, biracial proteomic analysis is more comprehensive and aims to uncover new markers and racial differences.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Raffield, Laura M — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Raffield, Laura M
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.